GASTROINTESTINAL LINEAR FOREIGN-BODIES IN SILVER LEAF LANGURS TRACHYPITHECUS-CRISTATUS-ULTIMUS

Sixteen silver leaf langurs, Trachypithecus cristatus ultimus, develop ed 22 cases of gastrointestinal linear foreign bodies (GIFB) in 8 yr ( 1986-1994). Fifty-one langurs older than 6 mo old were present in the colony during this period. Five langurs developed two or three recurre nt episodes within 4-12 mo. Eight-six percent of the cases occurred fr om 1992 to 1994; 82% of the langurs were juveniles (2-6 yr old), and 1 0 were in three family groups. Seventeen antemortem diagnoses were mad e, of which 16 required surgery (25% died postoperatively), and one pa ssed the GIFB in the feces. Five postmortem diagnoses were made. Clini cal signs included vomiting, anorexia, depression, and abnormal postur es suggestive of abdominal discomfort. Palpable intestinal impaction o r plication was common. Radiographs, hematology, and serum biochemistr y did not contribute to diagnosis. Surgical findings included gastric and/or intestinal foreign bodies. Intestinal perforations and intestin al plication were common. Surgical procedures included gastrotomy, ent erotomy, and intestinal resection. Postoperatively, most langurs recei ved i.v. fluids, antibiotics, and flunixin meglumine. Food and water w as withheld for the first few postoperative days while i.v. fluids wer e administered, after which there was a gradual introduction of a norm al diet. All five langurs diagnosed at postmortem examination had obst ructive GIFB. Four had either abdominal adhesions, peritonitis, intest inal perforation, or plication or some combination of these; one had a spiration pneumonia. Postoperative deaths included two with aspiration pneumonia, one with neurologic disease suggestive of tetanus, and one with massive peritonitis. Foreign body composition was determined by microscopic examination. The majority of the foreign bodies were compo sed of fibers of screwpine, Pandanus utilis, alone, or with nylon rope . Pandanus utilis were exhibit plants and nylon ropes were in holding areas; both were removed. Due to the fiber length, indigestible nature , and retention in the stomach of both substances, langurs continued t o develop obstructions for more than 2 yr after removal of Pandanus an d 9 mo after the removal of nylon rope.