Rescued sea otter being treated at Vancouver Aquarium
Posted August 3, 2012 2:41 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – He is extremely underweight, has a bone infection and cuts all over his body. The Vancouver Aquarium provided an update today on how a very sick sea otter, found in Washington State, is doing.
Quin, an adult male, was found stranded on a beach last month and he’s only been at the aquarium for two days.
He struggles to breath and is extremely lethargic.
Veterinarian Dr. Chelsea Anderson says the goal is to eventually release him, but right now they’re taking things day by day. “Early next week we’ll look at pursuing some additional diagnostics, such as: blood work, X-rays, kind of reassess. Where are we now? What do we have to do with our plan, things like that. It’s always changing.”
He’s being fed fresh crab, shrimp and clams, in hopes he regains weight. Crews are also putting anti-biotics in his food. “He’s being taken care of just the same as any other patient here at the Rescue Centre, same as your dog or cat at the vet or even yourself at the hospital. He gets 24-hour observation,” she adds.
It’s unclear what caused his injuries.
The Aquarium’s Rescue Centre took in over 150 stranded marine mammals last year alone. If you see a stranded animal, you can call them at 604.258.SEAL (7325).
