Environmental Enrichment-related Injury in a Macaque (Macaca Fascicularis): Intestinal Linear Foreign Body

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