Capture Myopathy - 2 Techniques for Estimating Its Prevalence and Severity in Red Kangaroos, Macropus-Rufus

Abstract

Two field techniques (pathology score and necrosis score) are presented for estimating the prevalence and severity of capture myopathy in red kangaroos, Macropus rufus. Both are based on the amount of necrotic (pale) muscle found in a carcass at post-mortem examination. These techniques are compared for 232 experimental animals. Results indicate that either technique will provide a satisfactory assessment of the severity of capture myopathy. The necrosis score technique also provides quantitative data on distribution of the necrotic muscle in the carcass. A relationship between the amount of necrotic muscle and the clinical consequences for a kangaroo is also demonstrated.