California Sea Lion Pup Overcomes Swollen Jaw And Abscesses

The following story was shared with us by the Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles.

On December 14, 2019, a small California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) was picked up in Malibu by California Wildlife Center and brought to our hospital at Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles. The male pup was skinny and showed signs of lethargy on the beach.

On admission to the hospital the male pup weighed 35.2 pounds. During his exam, staff found a swollen jaw and several abscesses. To combat malnutrition and dehydration, he was given an oral solution of EmerAid Intensive Care Piscivore. EmerAid Intensive Care Piscivore is our first line of defense for animals suffering from malnutrition. He was also given subcutaneous fluids and antibiotics.

The pup responded quite well to initial treatment and started eating fish the next day. He continued to eat fish on his own but was also gavage-fed a blended gruel containing fish, vitamins, and electrolytes for five days to ensure that he was stabilized. He continued to eat fish on his own and gain weight. He was released January 30th, 2020, weighing 92.4 pounds.