Environmental enrichment-related injury in a macaque (Macaca fascicularis): Intestinal linear foreign body

A three-year old male cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis) presented wi th clinical signs of anorexia and depression that decreased over a 48-hour period. Results of abdominal radiography abdominocentesis, blood biochemica l analysis and CBC suggested septic peritonitis. Exploratory laparotomy rev ealed multiple perforations along the mesenteric border of the small intest ine. Necropsy revealed masses of fibrous material in the stomach and cecum. Multiple mucosal ulcerations, as well as linear fibrous material, were fou nd in the small intestine. The ulceration, perforations, and septic periton itis were attributed to the ingestion of rope that had been attached to the animal's cage as an environmental-enrichment device.