Isthmus obtained 25 pages of notations for r04040, a rhesus macaque monkey at the National Primate Research Center in Madison. Here are some highlights:
2004
April 26: Born at the center, rejected by mother. Weight: .5340 kg (1.2 lbs.)
April 27: Blood is drawn for genetic typing; ears are tattooed.
April 28: First reference to diarrhea.
May 3: Adoptive mother is found, but baby is still "being fed formula."
May 11: Diarrhea is "probably stress induced."
July 16: "Baby is thin."
Nov. 29: Moved to new room.
Dec. 08: r04040 is sedated and given tattoo on left thigh.
Dec. 28: Following several days of diarrhea, r04040 "had a rectal prolapse" - his rectum popped out of his anus. It was "self-resolved," meaning it popped back on its own. "Probably stress-related as it was during cage cleaning."
2005
Jan. 5: Diarrhea continues, believed "stress induced."
Jan. 21: "Not looking very well."
Jan. 24: "Reported for red around eyes."
Feb. 22: Moved in with other animals. Weight 2 kg (4.4 lbs.)
March 1: Appears healthy and "accepts treats enthusiastically."
April 4-17: Antibiotics are given but diarrhea persists.
May 10: "Vomit."
May 13: Another "self-resolved rectal prolapse."
May 26: "Cuts on left hand."
June 2: Weight 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs.); r04040 "appears stable" and gets along with others in group.
June 20: "Prolapsed rectum with a great deal of blood."
June 16-Dec. 31: Diarrhea now called "chronic." Reports mention it dozens of times. Rectal prolapses are recurring. But there is "no sign of distress."
2006
Jan. 10: r04040 is sedated for extensive testing for viruses. Results are negative. Reports of diarrhea now intermittent. Weight: 3.13 kg (6.9 lbs.)
Feb. 20: Right hand is swollen after fingers "stuck in cage."
Feb. 22: Moved to group housing pen.
March 1: Considered for placement in "specific pathogen free" colony, but apparently never assigned.
May 25: Weight: 4.26 kg (9.4 lbs.)
Oct. 2: "Bruised and swollen right eye."
Nov. 9: Animal placed in "table top restraint" to get sample for rectal culture. "Superficial scratches" on back.
Dec. 28: "Bite [on] right abdomen" and "multiple scabs along the left and right middle back." Suspected cause is "antagonism by group member."
2007
Jan. 18: Weight: 4.88 kg (10.7 lbs.) Diarrhea no longer cited.
Feb. 13: Two "fairly superficial" wounds on right thigh.
March 28: "Animal is over-groomed all over body," presumably by cage mates.
April 23: "Scratch on chest."
July 19: r04040 escapes from enclosure during attempt to sedate; hypothermia results.
Aug. 15: r04040 is "threatened" by one cage mate and "bit" by another during behavioral assessment.
Sept. 11: "Under consideration" for study. Apparently never assigned.
Sept. 24: Wound to left elbow.
Sept. 25-Nov. 19: Multiple reports of diarrhea and feces "smeared on toys, walls and floors" in pen, said to contain 12 animals. Source animal(s) unknown.
Nov. 2: Weight: 7.18 kg (15.8 lbs.)
2008
Jan. 17: r04040 moved to new room, still with other monkeys.
Jan. 23: Assigned to study re: "neural circuitry of emotion." Released after less than three weeks.
March 28: "Bloody nose."
April 17: "Scratch by nose."
May 30: "Bruise on cheek."
July 7: "Multiple superficial wounds from cage mates."
July 11: "Large scratch on abdomen" and other injuries, suggesting "repeated fighting between him and cage mates."
July 14: "Multiple old wounds and new wounds present all over back and legs."
Aug. 1: "Tail is swollen and bleeding"; other wounds healing.
Aug. 4: More scratches and a bruised eye. "Animal stays in the back of the pen and does not come forward for treats."
Aug. 15-Dec. 24: Continued reports of minor scratches, swelling and diarrhea.
2009
Jan. 26: Sedated for physical exam. Bloody stool found, tied to history of diarrhea and rectal prolapses. Weight: 9.38 kg (20.6 lbs.) Moved to new room, into a cage with single other rhesus macaque, with whom he had lived in group pen.
Jan. 29: "Preliminary screening of animals for research projects."
Feb. 4: Minor trauma to nose and scar on bicep.
Feb. 26: Scratches on brow and cheek.
March 9: Reported for pacing.
April 1: Weight: 9.9. kg (21.8 lbs.)
