Jan 16, 2008 4:41 pm US/Pacific
Necropsy Finds SF Zoo Zebra Died From Infection
SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) ―
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A necropsy revealed Lisa the Zebra died from an infection stemming from an intestinal obstruction.
The San Francisco Zoo
A 10-year-old Grant's zebra that was found dead in a barn stall at the San Francisco Zoo Tuesday morning died of a bacterial infection stemming from a complete intestinal obstruction, zoo officials announced Wednesday.
A gross necropsy performed on the zebra, named Lisa, found two large intestinal stones between 15 and 17 centimeters in width, one of which was completely obstructing Lisa's large intestine, the zoo reported.
"Intestinal stones are a common cause of disease and sudden death in domestic horses," said Jacqueline Jencek, chief of veterinary services at the zoo.
The necropsy, performed at the University of California, Davis Department of Pathology, revealed that the obstruction of the intestine caused a severe bacterial infection in the zebra's blood and tissue. Hemorrhaging as well as cell death and degradation around the obstruction also suggested an infected bowel, officials reported.
Lisa had been under observation since she was seen salivating and lacking energy when on display in the African Savanna exhibit on Sunday. She was examined by a veterinarian, treated with medicine, and put in her stall in the Hoofstock Barn, where she was found dead at about 7:10 a.m. Tuesday, zoo officials reported.
Zebras at the zoo are fed hay, zebra chow along with treats, and receive annual fecal screening and vaccinations, according to the zoo.
Lisa was born in Feb. 1998 and moved to the San Francisco Zoo one year later.
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