BEHAVIORAL MANIFESTATIONS OF ILLNESS
The ability to recognize changes in the normal behavior of tree kangaroos is essential for the early detection of illness. Because these changes can be subtle, tree kangaroo daily activity patterns, as well as their individual characteristics, must be studied closely. This is where keepers play a valuable role in early disease detection. Continuity of keeper care is critical to the welfare of tree kangaroos!
Healthy and sick animals can exhibit the same behavior; the significance of the behavior must be taken in context from which the behavior is observed. Tree kangaroos share many common behaviors. For example: the curled sleeping position is the same as a high-stress withdrawal posture. Some of the tree kangaroo behaviors that might alert keepers to the onset or existence of illness include:
Ø Change in food intake.
Ø Change in fecal output frequency, character and location: Changes in color and/or consistency from what is considered normal at your facility on your specific diet. Normal feces are moist and pelleted.
Ø Change in urine output frequency, character and location: i.e. urine color can be dark reddish in color when concentrated, or the result of a dietary item, and must be distinguished from blood-tinged urine indicative of a urinary tract problem.
Ø Change in the color and character of the nasal discharge. A stressed animal will often have a nasal discharge that is clear and often continuous; this can be quite spontaneous. A sick animal might have colored (yellow/green/tan), thicker or intermittent nasal discharge.
Ø Change in an animal’s character: a normally friendly animal might appear aggressive or fearful if it is painful or ill and not wanting to be disturbed. A normally alert animal might seem sleepy or “out of it” (unresponsive to external stimuli). A trained animal (e.g. for pouch checking) no longer does the trained behavior.
Ø Change in location: a sick/weak animal may not be able to climb as high up into a tree as it normally does, so you will find it hanging out on lower branches or on the ground more often. A tree kangaroo sleeping on the ground is considered abnormal.
Ø Sucking or licking the forearms: the animal is either stressed or overheated.
Ø Increased sleep, inactivity and sometimes sleeping in a prone position can indicate illness.
Ø A scruffy, patchy, lusterless coat condition, or “scaly tail,” usually means that the environment is too dry; humidity should be a minimum of 50%, especially in an enclosed area.
Ø These situations and more should alert a tree kangaroo keeper to problems. The earlier they are recognized and treated, the better the chance of being resolved
Reviewed by E Travis, J Blessington, J Steenberg, Spring 2011