Glucosuria in captive okapi (Okapia johnstoni).

Eighteen of 38 captive okapi housed in the United States were found glucosuric by dipstick analysis. To confirm these findings, urine glucose concentrations of captive okapi from one collection (n = 10) were analyzed by two methods: urine dipstick analysis and quantitative analysis. Seven of these urine samples were positive for glucose by dipstick, with comparable glucose measurements by quantitative analysis. For a presumed normal control, okapi (n = 10) held in captivity within their native home range were tested for glucosuria by urine dipsticks; all were negative. Serum fructosamine (221-362 micromol/L) and insulin (9-45 pmol/L, 1.17-5.85 microU/ml) concentrations were determined from okapi (n = 6) with and without glucosuria with the use of results considered within normal limits for other ruminants. We conclude that glucosuria is a true finding in many apparently healthy captive okapi in the United States.