Pulse - December 2024 - 12

Navy mammals are allowed to travel. " This helps ensure
that MMP animals remain in good health while deployed, "
says Dr. Jensen. " Medical issues while deployed are rare and
usually limited to mild dermatologic, respiratory, or gastrointestinal
illnesses. "
Navy mammals have traveled the world in service to their
country, starting in 1970 when bottlenosed dolphins traveled
to Vietnam to protect the U.S. Army ammunition pier
at Cam Rahn Bay from enemy attacks. In recent years, Navy
mammals have traveled to Iraq, Kuwait, and Bahrain as part
of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. In the
northern Arabian Gulf, dolphins and sea lions helped remove
mines from the ports of Umm Qasr and Az Zubayr in Iraq.
A common misconception is that the animals in the Navey
Marine Mammal Program are placed in physical danger as
part of their job. This is a myth that the Navy works hard to
dispel. " No marine mammal in the Marine Mammal Program
has ever been killed while on a mission, " Dr. Xitco states. " In
return for their service, the animals are provided the highest
quality care available anywhere in the world. They spend their
days exploring with us out on the bay, here in San Diego, or
further offshore in the Intracoastal Water down south, and
when they aren't working, they're at home socializing with
their companions. Navy dolphins live twice as long as their
wild cousins, and our sea lions live three times as long as they
would on their own. "
The Navy's marine mammals are never placed at greater
risk than their human teammates, Dr. Xitco adds. " We view
them as partners, " he explains. " Navy personnel remained
with the animals during their time in the Persian Gulf to provide
for their health and welfare. No one cares more about
the animals than the Navy people who work with them daily.
The Navy's marine mammals receive the best care, food, and
medical attention. "
According to Dr. Jensen, the cornerstone of care for the
Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific veterinarian Dr. Abby McClain
listens to the heart of a Navy dolphin, March 09, 2023. The Navy's Marine
Mammal Program trains bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions to detect,
locate, mark and recover objects in harbors, coastal areas, and at depth
in the open sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Alan Antczak)
Navy dolphins and sea lions is a preventive medicine program
that includes daily health assessments, annual and
semi-annual physical exams, pre- and post-transport physical
exams, and nutritional oversight.
" These examinations look very much like the exams we get
when going to the doctor and dentist, " Dr. Jensen notes. " As
part of these exams, Navy marine mammals often give multiple
blood samples throughout the year to allow veterinarians
to get a comprehensive view of the animal's overall well-being.
Most healthcare procedures begin shortly after the sun rises
and routine healthcare procedures are typically wrapped up
by early afternoon. However, the veterinary team is staffed
and equipped to respond to any healthcare needs 24/7/365. "
Most of the health challenges encountered by the veterinary
team are similar to those seen by community veterinarians in
dogs, cats, and horses, Dr. Jensen says. What makes them
unique is that marine mammals have evolved a host of physiologic
and anatomic changes to make them uniquely suited
for the marine environment.
" These changes make simple things like taking a blood pressure
or maintaining an intravenous catheter more challenging
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DECEMBER 2024
PULSE
Pulse - December 2024

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