SWT/KWS MERU MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
MARCH 2023
Introduction
6 Cases in March 1 Rhino Case 1 Elephant Case
March Report by Dr. Aminga Duncan
Dark clouds in the evenings and an increase in daytime temperatures heralded the end of the protracted dry spell and the beginning of the rainy season in March. We are optimistic that there will be more forage and water available for wildlife in the Meru ecosystem, the trees are slowly beginning to bloom and the water levels are gradually rising.
The SWT-KWS Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 6 Cases in March. These comprised 1 southern white rhino case, 1 elephant case, 2 reticulated giraffe cases, 1 zebra case and 1 security dog case.
Acknowledgement
The effective response and treatment of the various wildlife clinical cases encountered is possible through the funding the SWT-KWS Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit has received from Sylvie Chantecaille through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. The Veterinary Unit also appreciates the support it has received from other conservation partners and the local communities. Additionally, the Unit would like to thank Kenya Wildlife Service for providing managerial oversight through the Senior Assistant Director – Eastern Conservation Area and the Head – Kenya Wildlife Service Veterinary Department.
Case Details
March 2023
Security Dog Technical Case Meru Rhino Sanctuary
Trypanosomiasis is a vector-borne disease transmitted by tsetse flies. It affects both domestic and wild animals; and presents with intermittent fever, anaemia, weight loss, and in chronic cases leads to mortalities. The SWT-KWS Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit performed prophylactic treatment for trypanosomiasis on a security dog attached to the Meru Rhino sanctuary.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The dog was allowed to walk around and familiarize herself with the vet before proceeding with a physical examination. She was noted to be active, alert, in good body condition and with a smooth coat. She was physically restrained before drug administration. 0.8 mls Triquin© (Quinapyramine sulphate and Quinapyramine chloride) was administered subcutaneously at the base of the neck. The dosage administered was based on the drug’s concentration and the dog’s body weight.
Prognosis
The dog has a good prognosis since no adverse reactions were observed after drug administration
Giraffe Snared Meru National Park
While undertaking a routine wildlife health assessment in Meru National Park, the SWT-KWS Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit came across a lame reticulated giraffe bull. Upon closer observation, the team found that the giraffe’s right hind leg had a swelling at the long pastern, and the outline of a stricture typical of wire snares.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The giraffe was darted from a vehicle with 15 mgs Etorphine and 50 mgs Azaperone. The drugs took effect after 10 minutes with the animal going down on left lateral recumbency. The giraffe’s head and neck were pinned to the ground to facilitate physical examination while its body was doused with water to cool it Examination of the affected limb revealed a wound, but the wire snare had fallen off. The wound was cleaned with water, debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, flushed with Iodine, and covered with an antibiotic aerosol spray. Antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and metabolic stimulators were administered intramuscularly before reversing anaesthesia with 150 mgs Naltrexone. The giraffe stood 3 minutes later and walked away.
Prognosis
The giraffe has a good prognosis
Elephant Spear Lenguruma Area, Laikipia
The SWT-KWS Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit was informed about an adult female elephant that was frail and emaciated with poor appetite, and a swelling on her left flank.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant was found in a bushy area and approached by vehicle for closer observation. The animal showed symptoms of abdominal pain including standing with legs apart, biting the tip of the trunk, and sporadically gaping its mouth. The body was in poor condition (body score of 2); the backbone was prominent from the tail to the head; the pelvic bones were protruding, and the orbital foci were sunken. The ventral abdomen and left flank both had swellings.
Immobilization was achieved with 15 mgs Etorphine. The swellings were found to be old spear wounds with aspiration of turbid haemorrhagic peritoneal fluid. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatories were administered before reversing anaesthesia with 36 mgs Diprenorphine and 75 mgs Naltrexone. However, despite intravenous rehydration being administered, the elephant was too weak to stand. It was euthanized to alleviate further pain and suffering given its guarded prognosis.
Autopsy Findings
Both the peritoneal and abdominal cavities contained large amounts of turbid haemorrhagic fluid. Fat storage and muscle development were minimal with localized tissue adhesions to the peritoneal wall. The spleen was firm and pale with diffuse multifocal necrotic areas.
Cause of death
The autopsy examination findings were consistent with secondary peritonitis, a condition that caused fluid build-up in the elephant's abdomen resulting in severe dehydration. Poor feeding resulted in weakened general immunity which enabled the infection to spread quickly throughout the elephant's body and cause sepsis. The impairment of spleen functions such as blood storage and filtration, as well as lymphocyte production had a negative impact on the elephant's response to the systemic infection potentially leading to organ failure and death.
Rhino Natural Causes Meru Rhino Sanctuary
The SWT-KWS Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit, in collaboration with a team from the KWS Veterinary HQs, attended to a white rhino bull named Kogei with a filarial wound on his left rump.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
Kogei was found in dense vegetation alongside another male white rhino. They were pushed into an open area then Kogei was darted from a KWS helicopter with 5 mgs Etorphine and 60 mgs Azaperone. The dart landed on the top-line muscles with the drugs taking effect after 10 minutes. He was quickly secured with ropes, blindfolded, pushed to his side to facilitate adequate blood circulation to the limbs, and doused with water. Samples were collected for laboratory examination before the wound was cleaned with water, debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, and flushed with Iodine. Green clay was packed into the wound then it was covered with an antibiotic spray. Anti-biotics, anti-inflammatories and an anti-parasitic were administered accordingly then anaesthesia was reversed with 100 mgs Naltrexone administered intravenously and 75 mgs administered intramuscularly. He stood 2 minutes later and slowly walked away.
Prognosis
Kogei has a good prognosis for full recovery.
Giraffe Natural Causes Meru National Park
While on routine park patrol, the vet team came across a herd of 7 reticulated giraffes. One of the big bulls had a massive growth on the left rump and ox peckers were pecking on the mass causing discomfort.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The giraffe was darted from a vehicle with 15 mgs Etorphine and 40 mgs Azaperone. The first dart landed on a bone and didn’t fully discharge. A second dart, with 13 mgs Etorphine and 50 mgs Azaperone, was fired and landed on the thigh muscles. The drugs took effect after 6 minutes, and the animal went down on right lateral recumbency. The head and neck were pinned to the ground then the mass was examined
The mass was found to be hard and vascularized. Excision of the tumour proved difficult due to the extent of the growth which could cause potentially serious complications. The growth was flushed with Iodine and covered with an antibiotic spray. 15,000 mgs Amoxicillin and 80 mgs Dexamethasone sodium were administered as palliative treatment before reversing anaesthesia with 250 mgs Naltrexone. The giraffe rose after 4 minutes and run away.
The animal will be closely monitored.
Zebra Snared Meru National Park
While undertaking a routine evaluation of the health of white rhinoceros in Meru National Park, the SWTKWS Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit was informed about a zebra stallion with a wire snare around its neck.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The snared zebra was darted from a vehicle with 6 mgs Etorphine and 70 mgs Etorphine, the dart discharged subcutaneously prolonging the induction time. Another dart comprising 7 mgs Etorphine and 60 mgs Azaperone was fired and landed on the neck muscles. The drugs took effect and within 3 minutes the zebra was recumbent. The animal was blindfolded and doused with water to cool its body. Fortunately, the wire snare had not caused any injuries. It was removed then metabolic stimulators and Ivermectin to control internal and external parasites were administered before reversing anaesthesia with 100 mgs Naltrexone. The zebra stood 2 minutes later and ran away.
Prognosis
The prognosis for recovery is good since no injuries had been inflicted by the snare