Postmortem identification of jejunal volvulus in a captive striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena)

Jejunal volvulus was diagnosed in a captive 12-year-old male striped hyena at necropsy. The animal was presented with decreased appetite, dullness, vomiting, and mild abdominal distention intermittently for about two months. Then, the animal was found anorexia, lethargy, depression, red brown colored vomiting materials, and decreased defecation from 10 days before death. At necropsy, jejunal volvulus was found about 1 m in length, and coalescence was observed at the inner membranes of jejunum. The parenchyma of the kidney was congested, and the bladder was filled with hematuria. These conditions might cause shock by renal failure that led to death. To prevent volvulus in a captive striped hyena, it is needed to improve zoo environment and early diagnosis using ultrasonography and X-ray.