Post mortem comparison of cardiac anatomy between an electrocuted sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni) and five other individuals

Abstract

Knowledge about cardiovascular physiology in Xenarthra species is limited, despite thorough investigation in other mammals. In particular, there is no published literature on the detailed cardiology of either sloth genera found on Costa Rica (Bradypus or Choloepus). This discontinuity in available knowledge makes the clinical cardiac evaluation of Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni) particularly difficult. In this report, we describe the case of a wild electrocuted sloth during rehabilitation. In which no cardiac problems were discovered even though electrocution could be severe enough to internally affect organs thus provoking death in severe cases. We discuss the ante- and post-mortem presentation of the study subject and describe sloth cardiac anatomy in relation to our findings. This information may be used to provide an improved understanding of sloth cardiology for clinical management of patient