SWT/KWS MERU MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
DECEMBER 2022
Introduction
5 Cases in December 1 Big Cat Case 2 Elephant Cases
December Report by Dr. Aminga Duncan
Most of the Meru ecosystem continued to receive rain in December which increased forage and water for wildlife. The trees were in full bloom, and the number of reported cases drastically decreased. During the month, the Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 5 cases comprising 1 lion case, 2 elephant cases, 1 giraffe case and 1 zebra case.
The Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to Kanini, a member of the Mulika pride in Meru National Park, who had an arrowhead in her right hindleg; a zebra stallion that survived a predator attack; and a wounded reticulated giraffe bull. On separate occasions, the Veterinary Unit also attended to 2 elephants in the Lower Imenti Forest; the team performed an autopsy on an elephant bull carcass and treated a recumbent elephant cow that sadly had to be put to rest to alleviate further pain and suffering given the animal’s poor prognosis.
Acknowledgement
We would like to express our gratitude to everyone who made it possible for the Meru Veterinary Unit to successfully attend to the cases reported in December We appreciate Sylvie Chantecaille for funding the Unit through Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, and the support we have received from other conservation partners, local communities, and Kenya Wildlife Service through the Senior Assistant Director Eastern Conservation Area and the Head of the Kenya Wildlife Service Veterinary Department. Thank you.
Case Details
Lion HWC - Arrow Meru National Park
During a routine patrol in the park, the Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit noted that Kanini, a sub-adult lioness who is a member of the Mulika Pride, had mobility difficulties due to a metallic object protruding from her right hindleg near her paw.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
Kanini was approached by vehicle and darted on the right rump with 2.5 mgs Medetomidine and 200 mgs ketamine. Within 5 minutes, she was fully sedated as she rested under the shade. She was quickly secured, blindfolded, and her body doused with water to aid in thermoregulation. The foreign body was found to be an arrowhead, it was carefully removed then the wound was cleaned with water, Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine. Green clay was thereafter packed into the wound. 3,000 mgs Amoxicillin, 500 mgs Flunixin meglumine, and 3 mgs Ivermectin were administered to treat bacterial infections, inflammation, ectoparasites, and endoparasites respectively before anaesthesia was reversed with 5 mgs Atipamezole. She stood 5 minutes post-reversal and re-joined her pride.
Prognosis
Kanini was seen the following day leading a hunt. Her prognosis for full recovery is good.
Zebra Natural Causes Meru National Park
After attending to the lioness highlighted under Case 1, the Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit encountered an injured zebra stallion in a dazzle of about 50 zebras. The zebra had been wounded in the stifle region in what appeared to be a failed predatory attack.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The zebra was gingerly approached and darted on the right rump with 7 mgs Etorphine and 80 mgs Azaperone. The zebra run for approx. 200 meters before the drugs took effect. It went down on left lateral recumbency then it was blindfolded and doused with water. The wound was cleaned with water, flushed with Iodine, coated with green clay, and covered with an antibiotic spray to keep off flies. 5 mgs Ivermectin, antibiotics, and 40 mgs Dexamethasone sodium were administered before anaesthesia was reversed with 260 mgs Naltrexone injected intravenously. Two minutes post-reversal, the zebra got up and scurried off.
Prognosis
The zebra has a good prognosis
Elephant Post-mortem Kamtune area – Lower Imenti Forest
The KWS Meru Station reported an adult male elephant carcass discovered in the Kamtune area, Lower Imenti Forest. The Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit carried out an autopsy on the elephant carcass to establish the cause of death.
Post-mortem findings
The carcass was found on its left side, it was in stage two of decomposition. The body condition was fair, scored at 2.5 out of 5. There was a clean incision in the middle of the tail, and blood streaks were observed on both flanks and the lateral side of the right hind leg. The abdominal cavity was opened, and congestion of the intestinal mucosa with extensive petechial haemorrhages was observed. The stomach and other portions of the intestines were emptied of dry intestinal contents.
Cause of death
The gross autopsy results pointed to impaction as the cause of death. Both tusks were recovered for safekeeping by Kenya Wildlife Service
Giraffe Natural Causes Meru National Park
While on routine patrol, the Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit came across a lame adult male giraffe. A closer look revealed that the giraffe had a wound proximal to the coffin bone on the swollen right forelimb.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The giraffe was darted on the right rump with 15mg Etorphine and 40mg Azaperone. The drugs took effect 10 minutes post-darting then the giraffe was roped down and blindfolded.
The wound was cleaned with water, debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, flushed with Iodine, and covered with an antibiotic spray. 40mg Dexamethasone sodium, 6,000mg Amoxicillin, and 10mg Ivermectin were administered parenterally before anaesthesia was reversed with 300mg Naltrexone administered through the jugular vein. The giraffe rose two minutes post -reversal.
Prognosis
The giraffe has a good prognosis.
Elephant Natural Causes Kamitongu Area – Lower Imenti Forest
The Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit was informed of an emaciated, recumbent adult female elephant in the Kamitongu area, Lower Imenti Forest.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant was weak and found lying on its right side, it was passing loose, purulent, and mucoid stool that was an indication of acute infectious gastroenteritis. The ventral part of the body and the ears were particularly badly infested with ticks. The elephant was doused with water to help manage its body temperature and covered with tree branches to shield it from the sweltering sun. Given that the elephant was severely dehydrated, IV fluids (crystalloid solutions) to control the fluid loss, and 70 mg Dexamethasone sodium to treat shock were administered. Despite receiving intravenous rehydration, the elephant showed little improvement.
Prognosis
The elephant had a poor prognosis, given the poor prospect of recovery, it was put to rest on animal welfare grounds. Both tusks were retrieved by the KWS Meru team for safe custody.