Marine life, specifically aquatic mammals like dolphins, is a subject of great interest to scientists due to its physiological complexity and sensitivity to the surrounding environment, as modern health studies have shown they face precise medical challenges, most notably waxy vessel disease. This disease is defined as a pathological condition occurring due to the accumulation of waxy and fatty deposits inside the blood vessels and main arteries of dolphins, leading over time to arterial lumen narrowing and reduced efficiency of oxygenated blood flow to vital organs, with environmental changes, water pollution, and dietary shifts playing a major role in triggering it. Among the prominent signs and symptoms associated with this condition is the appearance of dryness and a noticeable change in the dolphin's external skin texture, serving as an early indicator of perfusion and fluid distribution imbalance in surface tissues, alongside the potential for coronary arteriosclerosis directly affecting heart muscle and movement capacity. These vascular disorders lead to a noticeable weakness in swimming, movement, and maneuvering against water currents, reducing hunting efficiency and exposing the dolphin to chronic fatigue. To limit these risks, modern care strategies in aquatic sanctuaries focus on providing balanced nutrition programs, accurate water quality monitoring, and reducing chemical pollutants and plastic waste in their natural environment.
Approved Information Sources :
Marine mammal research reports and comparative veterinary studies of metabolic and vascular diseases. General information from the Syrian Agricultural and Livestock Guide - Specialized Evidence Center.
