Welfare of primates: physical health
Advice on how to keep your primate healthy - including information on signs of good and bad health and possible causes of illness.
Signs of good and bad health
People who keep primates should be able to spot signs of good and poor health in the animals they care for. This takes time, skill and experience, because primates often hide signs that they are ill.
A primate’s physical health and mental wellbeing are closely linked. For example, long-term stress can weaken the immune system and make the animal more likely to become ill. It can also affect breeding, the survival of young, body condition and other important areas of health.
Keepers should be registered with a veterinary practice that has specialist knowledge of the species they keep. It is recommended that they have a veterinary health plan in place. If an animal is injured or shows signs of disease, the keeper should contact their veterinary adviser straight away.
Advice on keeping care plans and health plans for your primate:
Herpes and primates
The herpes simplex virus can be spread by people who have cold sores. This virus is often deadly to marmosets and tamarins if they catch it. People who get cold sores should not keep these animals.
The virus may also be a very serious risk to some other New World primates and to lemurs. People with cold sores must avoid all contact with primates. This includes preparing their food.
Some primates can carry diseases that do not make them ill, but which can be deadly to other primate species. There is a particular risk when Old World primates (native to Africa/Asia) and New World primates (native to Central and South America) are kept near each other.
Scars/ physical marks on primates
Primates should be free of serious or long-lasting injuries, especially injuries that need surgery.
Small marks or scars can happen as part of normal social behaviour when primates live together and form groups. In captivity, injuries can also be caused by falls, unsuitable enclosure items, falling branches or aggressive behaviour.
It is important to manage social groups in a way that supports stable and compatible relationships. Enclosures should also be designed to reduce the risk of physical injury. If an animal is being harmed by repeated bullying, you should consider moving it to a more suitable group.
You should think about:
- carrying out regular checks on the animals
- making sure proper veterinary care is available
- whether enclosure items are safe and suitable
- whether the enclosure is designed to reduce the risk of injury
- whether the group is made up of animals that can live well together
- how any changes to the group could affect the group
Physical discomfort and pain in primates
All primates should be protected from avoidable pain and physical discomfort.
Signs of pain or discomfort can include not eating, pulling out hair in one area, injuring themselves, changes in their place within the group, unusual calls, unusual posture or movement, staying away from the group, or not responding as normal. Other signs may also be seen, depending on the species.
Older primates, and primates that have had injuries, may develop arthritis and other health problems linked to age or experiences. It is important to manage pain and discomfort that cannot be avoided. This should be included in the veterinary health plan.
Primates often hide signs of pain. This means keepers need to watch them carefully so problems can be spotted early, before they become more serious.
Most primates evolved in tropical climates. When housing is designed, you should make sure temperature, humidity and light levels are suitable to avoid discomfort. This may mean providing heating all year round. It may also mean using extra full-spectrum artificial light in winter and reducing natural light in summer.
To help keep your primate healthy and provide a suitable physical environment, you should think about:
- whether temperature, humidity and light levels are right
- whether the enclosure is large enough
- whether enclosure items are safe and suitable
- whether there is enough shelter
- whether the enclosure is in a suitable place
Signs of ill-health
- Primates should be free from infectious and non-infectious diseases, and from signs of ill health.
- Behavioural signs of ill health can include:
- not eating
- eating less, or sometimes eating too much
- not drinking, or drinking too much
- being less active than usual
- hiding away, avoiding others, or not responding as normal
- Physical signs of ill health can include:
- dehydration
- poor body condition
- poor coat condition
- a crouched or huddled posture
- diarrhoea or vomiting
- bloating
- discharge from the eyes, nose, mouth or other body openings
- scratching too much or having difficulty breathing
- Primates may develop metabolic bone disease if their diet is not properly balanced for:
- protein
- calcium
- phosphorus
- vitamin D3
Enclosures
A suitable enclosure size and design can help reduce the risk of parasites and the spread of infectious disease. You should also make sure that plants in or near the enclosure, including material that falls from nearby trees, do not put primates at risk of poisoning.
Repeated bouts of illness
If a primate becomes ill again and again, it may be a sign of a more serious health problem. For example, long-term stress can weaken the immune system and make illness more likely.
To help keep your primate healthy, you should think about:
- keeping good hygiene standards
- limiting contact with people where needed
- carrying out regular health checks
- having a veterinary health plan
- arranging veterinary screening when needed
- using quarantine when needed
- making sure enclosure items are safe and suitable
- whether the enclosure is in a suitable place
- providing a suitable diet
Weight and body condition
Primates must be a healthy weight for their species and as an individual. They should not be too thin or too heavy. They should have good muscle tone and no clear problems with their bones or body shape.
Primates should work for some of their food by searching, picking and exploring. This helps keep their minds and bodies active. You should give food in ways that encourage natural foraging behaviour.
Too much food, too little food, or poor-quality food can cause weight and health problems.
A primate may also develop behaviour problems if it does not spend enough time foraging. You should check body weight regularly and know what is normal for each animal, based on its age and diet.
A poor diet can lead to serious health problems. For example, not getting the right vitamins can cause bone disease, including rickets. An unsuitable diet can also increase the risk of diabetes in privately kept primates.
To help your primate stay at a healthy weight, you should consider:
- regular health checks
- a veterinary health plan
- veterinary screening
- a suitable diet
- enough space in the enclosure
- suitable enclosure furniture and equipment
- environmental enrichment
Physical mobility and flexibility
Primates should be able to move and stretch in ways that are normal for their species.
Primates kept in captivity can develop health problems if they have a poor diet or unsuitable housing. These problems can affect how well they move and stretch. They can also cause changes to the bones and body shape.
Natural light that is suitable for the species helps the body make vitamin D3. This is especially important for New World species. Keepers should also understand that some animals may move less as they get older.
To help your primate keep good movement and flexibility, you should consider:
- a suitable diet
- a suitable enclosure location
- enough space in the enclosure
- suitable enclosure furniture and equipment
- environmental enrichment
Oral and dental health
Primates should have healthy teeth and gums.
Captive primates can develop mouth problems and tooth decay, often because of an unsuitable diet. Regular checks are an important part of good care. They help you keep the primate healthy and make sure treatment is given quickly if it is needed.
To help your primate keep good oral health, you should consider:
- regular animal checks and a veterinary health plan
- a suitable diet
- environmental enrichment