New treatment could help sea lions suffering from domoic acid poisoning

Specialists with the Marine Mammal Center are testing a new treatment aimed at countering the effects of domoic acid poisoning in sea lions.

Domoic acid has recently made headlines following the discovery of high levels of the acid in California’s crabs. That eventually led to the delay of recreational and commercial crab fishing.

Domoic acid poisoning in marine life, however, has always been a problem. But never before has the problem felt so big, according to the Marine Mammal Center.

Longer and larger algae blooms, most likely caused by warmer ocean temperatures, have caused big problems for the ocean’s ecosystem. Scientists are keeping a close eye on the conditions, and El Nio. They’re also trying to figure out how to help the many animals that have been affected this year.

And it’s been a record-breaking year; the Marine Mammal Center has treated 1,300 sick sea lions. Most of them are pups from a crisis earlier this year; however, about 250 came in for either domoic acid poisoning, or entanglement.

But something called alpha lipoic acid may be a solution.

Dr. Cara Field, a staff veterinarian with the Marine Mammal Center, is leading the research on this acid’s effect on sea lions. It’s an antioxidant, and helps combat inflammation. When it comes to combating the effects of domoic acid poisoning, it may stop domoic acid from binding to tissue. That would essentially help prevent brain damage as domoic acid targets the brain.

And there’s potentially more good news — alpha lipoic acid may also help protect sea lions’ hearts, according to the Marine Mammal Center.