Nutritional Diseases of Nonhuman Primates

Also see Nutrition: Exotic and Zoo Animals.

Commercially available Old World and New World nonhuman primate diets provide required nutrients and can be supplemented with a variety of produce for enrichment. For pet animals, a thorough history should include all foods eaten, to identify potential areas of deficiency.

Most nonhuman primates are susceptible to vitamin C deficiency. Strepsirrhine primates such as lemurs produce their own vitamin C and do not generally require dietary supplementation. Hypovitaminosis C can cause immunosuppression and increase susceptibility to infectious diseases before clinical signs of the deficiency (scurvy) appear.

Clinical signs of scurvy include bruising, joint hemorrhage, and generalized lethargy. Commercial monkey diets contain stabilized vitamin C that, if properly stored, is stable for 3–9 months after the diet is milled and packaged. Because of differences in vitamin C formulation, the manufacturer's recommendations for expiration should be followed. Supplemental sources of vitamin C include green, leafy vegetables and citrus fruits.

Orally administered human pediatric vitamin preparations that contain ascorbic acid are readily accepted by nonhuman primates. Vitamin C intake of 3–6 mg/kg every 24 hours prevents scurvy. Scurvy should be treated with ascorbic acid (25–50 mg/kg, PO or in feed, every 24 hours) until clinical signs resolve and dietary consumption of adequate vitamin C is restored.

Primates require vitamin D to prevent rickets and osteomalacia. Asian and African primates can use provitamin D₂ from plant materials. Central and South American (New World) primates cannot, and they require provitamin D₃. Commercial diets specifically formulated for New World or Old World primates should be the main component of these animals' diet.

Fish-liver oils provide an adequate source of vitamin D₃, and as little as 1.25 IU/g can be added to the ration. Exposure of monkeys to sunlight facilitates conversion of vitamin D to active forms. Additional vitamin D supplementation might be needed for monkeys housed primarily indoors. Without adequate D₃, New World primates can develop secondary nutritional hyperparathyroidism (see Fibrous Osteodystrophy in Animals).

Lemurs are susceptible to iron storage disease when fed excessive dietary iron. Confirmation of the diagnosis requires a liver biopsy with special staining to demonstrate hepatic iron accumulation. Lemurs should not be fed iron supplements or vitamins containing iron.