Research puts Meerkats on low-fat diet to cut cholesterol
20 November 2006
It is not only humans that need to watch their cholesterol levels, as research reveals that there are very high levels of cholesterol in some captive meerkats. Now, experts at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) are devising a new diet that replicates more closely their wild diet of scorpions, spiders and centipedes.
Veterinary scientists have shown that very high levels of cholesterol puts meerkats at risk of brain disease, as accumulated lumps of cholesterol sitting on the brain have been associated with deaths.
In a forthcoming episode of BBC 1’s Supervets, broadcast on 7th December, which is set at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), to find out if London Zoo’s meerkats have this problem, Zoo Vet Tai Strike seeks to run cholesterol tests on their blood. Mabel, Squirky, Pipsqueak and all the family (or “mob” of meerkats) are brought to the Zoo’s hospital to be anaesthetised so that blood samples can be taken. The samples are sent to the RVC, where clinical pathologist Michael Waters analyses them.
In the wild, meerkats usually have cholesterol levels of less than 10 (mmol/l). But, Michael finds that the Zoo’s meerkats have cholesterol results in the 20s and even one as high as 30. The diet of the captive meerkats is then analysed.
Michael Waters, wild animal clinical pathologist at The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) said: “Meerkats often suffer from high cholesterol in captivity, which is typically caused by their diet. Research shows that they typically eat invertebrates such as scorpions, millipedes, worms, and crickets in the wild. In turn, for healthy zoo meerkats, it is necessary to replicate as closely as possible their diet in the wild, which is much lower in cholesterol.
“Often we are inclined to feed them eggs regularly in captivity, but these can be too fatty and rich for the small animals – lower fat foods are needed to offer meerkats a more balanced feeding regime.”
In the programme it is revealed that their current diet is a mix of fruit, vegetables and meat, with the occasional treat of a bag of locusts. But as the fat in the meat is the most likely cause of the problem, this is swapped for a low fat, nutritionally balanced pet food to try and bring the cholesterol levels down. The meerkats take to the new food with gusto, and a further blood-test is planned. .
Exotic animal specialist Michael Waters holds a Master’s in Wild Animal Health from the Royal Veterinary College, which he completed 12 years ago. He is now co-director of the course.
The Royal Veterinary College
Established in 1791, the RVC is the UK’s longest-standing veterinary college—with a proud heritage of innovation in veterinary science, clinical practice and education.