Abstract

We report body weights (BW) and blood and serum
analyses for 6 fully mature and 8 not-yet-mature captive
plains viscachas before and 3, 6 and 9 months after
switching from a low-fi ber, high-energy diet to a
high-fi ber, low-energy diet. Initially, body weights, serum
glucose, fructosamine and cholesterol levels were
above the reference range in the fully mature animals.
Furthermore, 4 of these animals had bilateral cataracts.
After the diet change, these parameters dropped
into the reference range. However, 9 months later, a
slightly increased BW became evident again. The fi ndings
are consistent with a type II diabetes mellitus and
underline the importance of dietary prevention.