SWT/KWS MERU MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT JULY 2023
Introduction
7 Cases in July
1 Lion Case
3 Elephant Cases
July Report by Dr. Aminga Duncan The weather in the Meru ecosystem in July was marked by dry conditions and a significant increase in daytime temperatures. The harsh weather transformed the once lush and green vegetation into a dry and parched landscape. There was also a noticeable reduction in river flow. The Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 7 wildlife cases in July. The team administered prophylactic treatment against Trypanosomiasis to a security dog at the Meru Canine Unit; treated an adult female elephant for a spear wound on the left flank; treated a sub-adult male elephant with an arrowhead lodged in the left cheek; carried out an autopsy on a reticulated giraffe bull carcass suspected to have been bitten by a venomous snake; attended to an adult female elephant suffering from marked lameness; treated a sub-adult lioness with a contaminated bite wound on the head; and treated an adult reticulated giraffe bull with a contaminated wound on the back which was most likely incurred during a failed lion attack. Acknowledgement We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Sylvie Chantecaille for the generous financial support provided to the Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit through Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. We also express our deep appreciation to Kenya Wildlife Service for providing managerial oversight through the Senior Assistant Director – Eastern Conservation Area and the Head of KWS Veterinary Services Department. We are also immensely grateful to the individuals who reported wildlife cases and provided crucial support during veterinary interventions.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
01-Jul 23
Security Dog
Meru N.P.
Technical Case
Prophylactic treatment against Trypanosomiasis
Successfully treated
02-Jul 23
Elephant
Naibosho Conservancy
Spear
Adult female elephant with a serious spear wound on the left flank
Successfully treated
02-Jul 23
Elephant
Olare Motogori
Arrow
Sub-adult bull with an arrowhead lodged in the left cheek
Successfully treated
22-Jul 23
Giraffe
Meru N.P.
Postmortem
Adult male reticulated giraffe carcass found in Meru N.P
Died. Snake bite
22-Jul 23
Elephant
Meru N.P.
Natural Causes
Adult elephant bull with lameness on the front limb due to an overgrown sole
Successfully treated
25-Jul 23
Lion
Meru N.P.
Natural Causes
Sub-adult lioness with a contaminated, maggot infested wound on the head
Successfully treated
27-Jul 23
Giraffe
Meru N.P.
Natural Causes
Adult male reticulated giraffe with a contaminated wounds on its back
Successfully treated
SWT/KWS Meru Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations July 2023
Case 1 – 01st July 2023 Security Dog
Technical Case
Meru National Park
The security dogs in Meru National Park play a crucial role in tracking poachers and detecting contraband. However, the dogs face the risk of contracting Trypanosomiasis which is an extremely fatal disease transmitted by Tsetse flies. Dogs suffering from Trypanosomiasis typically exhibit anorexia, dehydration, weight loss, and ultimately succumb to the illness. The Meru Veterinary team vaccinated Sep, a security dog stationed at the Meru Canine Unit, against Trypanosomiasis to ensure he is in optimal health for the performance of his important role. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Sep was familiarized with the veterinarian to reduce excitement during the examination. He was observed to be in good body condition, active, and alert. His body weight was measured, and the appropriate drug dosages were calculated based on the recorded weight. To ensure safety, a muzzle was fitted before administering 0.8 mls Triquin®, a combination of Quinapyramine sulphate & Quinapyramine chloride, subcutaneously on the left side of his neck. Prognosis No adverse reactions were observed after the drug was administered. Sep has a good prognosis.
Case 2 – 02nd July 2023 Elephant
Spear
Naibosho Conservancy
The CEO - SWT informed the Meru Vet. Unit about a female elephant in Naboisho Conservancy with a serious injury on the left flank and arranged for the vet. team to be flown to the Mara to attend to the emergency. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The injured elephant was found in an elephant herd with 2 dependent calves. It was successfully darted from a vehicle with 15 mgs Etorphine. The drug took effect approx. 6 minutes later and herd gently ushered away to a safe distance to facilitate treatment. The elephant had sustained a spear wound on the left flank and, omental fat and muscle tissue were protruding from the wound. The wound was cleaned with water, contaminated tissues were excised, and a ligature was applied to control bleeding. The displaced tissues were carefully repositioned, and the peritoneum sutured with absorbable sutures. Oxytetracycline pessaries were inserted into the wound which was then covered with green clay and an antibiotic spray to deter flies. 120 mgs Dexamethasone, 3,000 mgs Amoxicillin, and metabolic stimulators were administered intramuscularly before anaesthesia was reversed with 300 mgs Naltrexone. The elephant regained consciousness 3 minutes later and was joyously reunited with the rest of the herd. Prognosis The elephant cow has a favourable prognosis.
Case 3 – 02nd July 2023 Elephant
Arrow
Olare Motogori Conservancy
After treating the injured female elephant in Naibosho Conservancy, the Vet team received a distressing report about a sub-adult male elephant in Olare Motogori with an arrowhead lodged in the left cheek. Immobilisation, examination and treatment It was evident that the elephant was having difficulty browsing due to the pain and discomfort. The injured elephant was cautiously approached and darted from a vehicle on the rump with 15 mgs Etorphine hydrochloride. It assumed right lateral recumbency when the drugs took effect 5 minutes later. The animal was blindfolded, and its body doused with water to aid in thermoregulation. The arrowhead was then carefully removed. The penetrating wound was flushed with Hydrogen peroxide, irrigated with Iodine, and covered with an antibiotic ointment. Additionally, the wound was sprayed with an antibiotic aerosol to keep flies away. For management of bacterial infections and pain, 15,000 mgs Amoxicillin and 60 mgs Dexamethasone sodium were administered intramuscularly. Anaesthesia was thereafter reversed with 250 mgs Naltrexone administered via a prominent ear vein. The elephant regained consciousness 2 minutes later, it was visibly relieved and continued browsing. Prognosis The young elephant bull has a good prognosis.
Case 4 – 22nd July 2023 Giraffe
Post-mortem
Meru National Park
The SWT/KWS Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit was informed about the discovery of a reticulated giraffe bull carcass in Meru National Park. The veterinary team promptly visited the site to conduct an autopsy and establish the cause of death. Post-mortem findings The carcass was found lying on its left side. The were signs of scavenging on the head and lower abdomen. The carcass exhibited overall body swelling, and notably, there were two distinct localized swellings on the carpus of the right forelimb. Despite these external findings, the body condition before death was deemed to be good. No cutaneous injuries were observed. During the internal examination, severe tissue necrosis and pallor of muscle tissues was evident along with vascular congestion in the right forelimb and widespread bluish discoloration of internal tissues. Subcutaneous haemorrhages as well as haemorrhagic and dilated right heart chambers were also noted. The liver displayed discoloration while the spleen appeared shrunken. Cause of death The post-mortem results strongly suggested the presence of a hemotoxic substance which was suspected to be from a venomous snake bite.
Unfortunately, there are no pictures for this case.
Case 5 – 22nd July 2023 Elephant
Natural Causes
Meru National Park
After carrying out the autopsy highlighted under case 4, the Meru Mobile Veterinary team came across an adult male elephant displaying lameness on the left forelimb. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Upon closer examination, the vet observed that the bull had an overgrown sole and avoided bearing weight on the limb due to pain. The elephant bull was darted from a vehicle with 15 mgs Etorphine hydrochloride. The animal lay down on its right side when the drugs took full effect 12 minutes later. Its body was doused with water to enhance thermoregulation given the blazing sun. Examination of the affected limb revealed a cracked toe and an overgrown sole which were causing lameness. The overgrown tissues were trimmed, and anti-inflammatories and metabolic stimulators administered intramuscularly. Anaesthesia was reversed 10 minutes later with 250 mgs Naltrexone administered through a prominent ear vein. The elephant stood 2 minutes post-reversal and walked away visibly relieved. Prognosis The elephant has a favourable prognosis.
Case 6 – 25th July 2023 Lion
Natural Causes
Meru National Park
The Veterinary Unit had been alerted by the Born Free Foundation team about a distressing wound on the head of a young lioness. The vet team came across the lioness in a pride of 6 lions and observed that the wound was contaminated and heavily infested with maggots. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The lioness was darted on the dorsal neck muscles with 6 mgs Medetomidine and 300 mgs Ketamine. The drugs took effect 5 minutes later. The animal was quickly secured, blindfolded, and carried to the shade. An eye ointment was applied to prevent drying of the eyes. Additionally, the lioness’s body was doused with water to help manage its body temperature. The maggots were manually removed then the wound was flushed with water, Hydrogen peroxide and irrigated with Iodine. Green clay was packed into the wound, and an antibiotic spray applied to keep flies away. Additionally, 2,250 mgs Amoxicillin and 20 mgs Dexamethasone sodium were administered intramuscularly. For antiparasitic treatment, 30 mgs Ivermectin was administered subcutaneously. Anaesthesia was reversed with 12 mgs Atipamezole 1.5 hours post-darting. 15 minutes later, the lioness regained consciousness and slowly walked back to re-join its pride. Prognosis The lioness has a good prognosis.
Case 7 – 28th July 2023 Giraffe
Natural Causes
Meru National Park
The Meru Veterinary Unit came across a solitary reticulated giraffe bull with a contaminated wound on its back near the base of its tail. It was suspected that the wound was incurred during a failed lion attack. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The giraffe was darted with 13 mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 30 mgs Azaperone. The 1st dart landed on the tail and didn't fully discharge. Another dart comprising 15 mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 20 mgs Azaperone was fired and successfully struck the right rump. The drugs quickly took effect enabling the giraffe to be roped to the ground. The giraffe was blindfolded, and its body doused with water to cool it down. Once the giraffe’s head and neck were restrained, anaesthesia was reversed with 250 mgs Naltrexone administered intravenously and 36 mgs Diprenorphine administered intramuscularly. The wound was found to be heavily infested with maggots. It was cleaned with water then the maggots were manually removed. The wound was thereafter flushed with Hydrogen peroxide and irrigated with Iodine before being covered with an antibiotic spray. 15,000 mgs Amoxicillin and 80 mgs Dexamethasone sodium were administered intramuscularly while 100 mgs Ivermectin was administered subcutaneously. Prognosis The giraffe was assisted to rise and was swiftly back on all fours. The giraffe has a good prognosis.