ENCLOSURE BEDDING INDUCED GASTRIC FOREIGN-BODY IN A EUROPEAN OTTER (LUTRA-LUTRA)

During the routine examination of a 6 month old male European otter (L utra lutra) a large gastric foreign body was diagnosed. Using Medetomi dine-Ketamine-Isoflurane anaesthesia the foreign body was surgically r emoved. The foreign body consisted of compacted wood wool used as a be dding in the otter enclosure. In contrast to the European Endangered S pecies Husbandry Guidelines for this species, the authors suggest that no bedding material is used in the feeding area of the enclosures.