Febrile hemorrhagic diathesis in Rhesus monkeys
Köhler, H.; Grünberg, W.
Deutsche Tierärztliche Wochenschrift 77(4): 83-88
1970
ISSN/ISBN: 0341-6593 PMID: 4997435 Document Number: 23968
A group of 27 rhesus monkeys imported by a pharmaceutical company 2 1/2 months previously from India had a sudden onset of haemorrhages affecting the face and sparsely covered body surfaces, accompanied by locomotor disturbance. Although housing was adequate, the diet was unsatisfactory, being based on maize and containing only protein of vegetable origin and insufficient vitamins and minerals. Circulatory disturbance (weak or absent pulse, cyanosis of mucous membranes) was observed. Four monkeys died from acute circulatory insufficiency and two that were moribund were killed for diagnosis. The diet was altered and vitamins K and C given. Within a few days the temperature returned to normal, symptoms abated and the animals made an uneventful recovery. The gross and histological lesions were described.