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Press Release -- Saturday, May 26, 2007

Following is a press release issued today (Saturday, May 26, 2007) by the Joint 
Information Center:

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Scientists Successfully Administer Antibiotics to Injured Whales

RIO VISTA, Calif. -- Veterinarians were successful today in administering antibiotics to 
the mother whale and calf that have remained in the Sacramento River. 
 
The antibiotics were administered using custom made syringes deployed via a remote 
operating apparatus into the muscle tissue of both whales.  "We are very pleased that we 
were able to administer these meds," said Dr. Teri Rowles, Director of Marine Mammal 
Health for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). "This is the very 
first time antibiotics have been administered to whales in the wild, and it took an 
exceptional collaboration." 
 
Scientists are hopeful these medications will help the whales combat infection they are 
facing as a result of the injuries sustained from a boat incident and their stay in fresh 
water.
 
The antibiotics include enrofloxacin (trade name "Baytril"), which has been donated by 
Bayer Animal Health Care, and ceftiofur (trade name "Excede") donated by Pfizer Animal 
Health. Preparation of the Baytril in dosages appropriate for the whales was done by 
Grandpa's Compounding Pharmacy in Placerville, Calif. 
 
Rescuers will use the next few days to assess the health condition of the two humpback 
whales. "The goals of this weekend?s health assessment are to collect samples of the 
whales? breath and skin and obtain another tissue biopsy from the mother,"  said 
Rowles. "Conditions on the water and the cooperation of the whales will determine what 
collection activities can be attempted and completed." 
 
The breath analysis will help determine the general health condition of the whales and 
whether the calf is nursing. Today's effort to collect the exhaled breath was hampered by 
environmental conditions and the activity of the whales. Efforts to obtain the breath 
sample will resume tomorrow. 
 
The skin sample, once obtained, will be tested to help determine the nature of lesions 
that have developed on the skin of both animals. The biopsy sample of the adult whale 
will be compared to the sample taken earlier in the week to evaluate any changes in her 
condition. 

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