Capture myopathy is a condition that affects wild animals when they are captured and confined. The word 'myopathy' is pronounced /maɪˈɒpəθi/ with the stress on the first syllable. The 'myo' part comes from the Greek word for muscle, and the 'pathy' means disease or disorder. The spelling of the word 'capture' is straightforward, but the combination of the two words may be harder to remember. It is important for those working with wild animals to understand the risks of capture myopathy and take necessary precautions to prevent it.
Capture myopathy is a condition often observed in wild animals, especially birds and mammals, due to extreme stress and exertion during capture or handling. It is a life-threatening muscular disease caused by a sudden release of highly accumulated adrenaline and other stress hormones in the animal's body. This condition is typically seen as a result of human intervention, such as during the capture, tagging, transporting, or restraining of wildlife for research, veterinary care, or exhibition purposes.
The main characteristic of capture myopathy is severe muscle damage and necrosis, resulting in muscular weakness, stiffness, pain, and sometimes death. The excessive amounts of stress hormones released affect the muscle tissue, leading to disruption of cellular metabolism and damage to muscle fibers. These changes can be observed in affected animals through blood tests, muscle biopsies, or postmortem examinations.
Signs of capture myopathy may include anorexia, lethargy, tremors, difficulty in moving or standing, and general weakness. If left untreated, the condition can progress rapidly and cause the animal's death. However, if proper medical intervention is provided promptly, including stress reduction, fluid therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and supportive care, affected animals may have a chance of recovery.
Prevention and mitigation strategies for capture myopathy involve careful handling techniques, minimizing stressors during capture and transport, providing appropriate rest periods between procedures, and ensuring proper veterinary care is available. Additionally, training and educating professionals involved in wildlife management and research can help avoid or reduce the occurrence of capture myopathy.
The word "capture myopathy" is composed of two parts:
1. "Capture" refers to the act of catching or capturing something or someone. It comes from the Latin word "captura", meaning "a taking or seizing".
2. "Myopathy" is a medical term that refers to a disease or disorder of the muscles. It is derived from two Greek words: "mys" (meaning "muscle") and "pathos" (meaning "suffering" or "disease").
Therefore, "capture myopathy" describes a condition that affects the muscles of an animal or human captured or restrained, often due to stress or physical exertion during capture. This term is commonly used in the context of wildlife management or veterinary medicine when referring to animals that experience muscle damage or stress-related complications after being captured.