Suspected intestinal torsion in a blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus)

A blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) with a history of recurre nt eversion or prolapse of the valvular intestine, arrived at the Steinhart Aquarium in June 1996 and was placed in a mixed species shark display. The eversion soon reappeared, and the animal became thin and anorexic. The eve rted portion of the intestine was bitten by another shark and became infect ed. Treatment included force-feeding, manual reduction of the eversion, hyd rocortisone suppositories held in place with purse-string sutures, and inje ctions of enrofloxacin. All treatments ultimately failed, and the animal di ed in March 1997. Necropsy revealed that the intestine had separated into t wo segments at the distal portion of the pyloric stomach (duodenum); both e nds were scarred and sealed off. It is suggested that a torsion (twisting a long the long axis) of the intestine was responsible for the condition.