ANIMAL CARE AID

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Animal Care

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

AC-18-007 • Issued October 2018

PRACTICAL TIP

You can train 

bears to allow close 

examination of areas on 

their bodies like skin, 

feet, and eyes and to 

open their mouths so 

you can check their 

teeth regularly. 

This training allows 

stress-free veterinary 

exams. You may be 

able to avoid using 

anesthesia or sedation 

if bears are trained to 

allow routine veterinary 

procedures, such as 

an ultrasound or 

drawing blood. 

Bear Veterinary Care 

This Animal Care Aid is part of a series developed to provide information about bear health and care.

Refer to the other topics covered in the series for more information on bear care.

Regular veterinary exams are crucial for bear health. 

Knowing what to watch for as you care for your bears is also important. Paying attention to 

your bear’s coat, eyes, teeth, movement and activity level, behavior, and stool can provide 

insights into your bear’s health status.

DID YOU KNOW?

Understanding what is normal for bears is 

one of the best things you can do for their 

health and care. This knowledge will help 

you spot medical or behavioral problems 

earlier so you can best treat and manage 

problems before they worsen.

COMMON HEALTH ISSUES IN BEARS 

Skin Disease

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

patchy hair loss; 

itchiness; reddened, 

crusty, or thickened skin

l Many different causes: 

parasites (e.g., mange), 

seasonal allergies, 

hormone imbalance, 

infection (bacterial, viral, or fungal).

l Hair loss (or alopecia) could also be caused by 

trauma from rubbing or self-injury due to stress.

WHEN TO CALL THE VET:

Any time there are bloody or crusty sores, hair 

loss, or itching that interferes with the bear’s 

ability to be comfortable.

Arthritis

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

slow or stiff movements, less active, sleeps 

more, climbs less, more irritable 

l Especially common in bears that are geriatric, 

obese, injured, or have poor muscle tone.

l Housing on hard surfaces may cause or 

worsen arthritis.

l Extra bedding, softer substrate, and lowered 

resting platforms provide more comfort. 

l Anti-inflammatory drugs can help manage pain.

WHEN TO CALL THE VET:

If you notice changes in your bear’s movement 

or behavior, your vet can help you design a 

treatment plan to ensure comfort and 

improve mobility.

Intestinal Parasites

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

diarrhea, poor appetite, weight loss, 

blood in stool 

l Bears are susceptible to roundworms, 

hookworms, tapeworms, and 

flatworms (flukes).

l Regular fecal exams for parasites 

will allow for prompt treatment.

WHEN TO CALL THE VET:

If diarrhea persists for more than 2 or 

3 days, there is blood in the stool, or 

there is noticeable weight loss.

Broken Teeth

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

reluctance to eat or 

chew, bad breath, dark 

or broken teeth

l Often occur from bears 

chewing rocks, enclosure fencing, 

or enclosure bars.

l Monitoring regularly for oral disease helps catch 

problems early. 

l A broken tooth is painful, 

and your vet will know 

how to manage the issue. 

WHEN TO CALL THE VET:

RIGHT AWAY! Prompt 

treatment can prevent 

more severe problems 

like a tooth root abscess, 

infection of the surrounding bone, or even a 

bacterial infection that enters the blood stream 

and affects the heart or kidneys.