SWT/KWS MERU MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
MARCH 2024
3 Cases in March
March Report by Dr. Aminga Duncan
March was characterized by abundant sunshine, juxtaposed with fluctuations in both daytime and nocturnal temperatures. Intermittent showers were experienced in select areas, offering a glimmer of hope for substantial rainfall in the impending month of April.
The SWT/KWS Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 3 cases in March. The team attended to an elephant bull in the Keno area of Samburu County with a gunshot wound on the right hindleg. Regrettably, the elephant had a grave prognosis and was euthanized The team also treated an adult white rhino bull named JJ in Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy for injuries sustained in a confrontation with another rhino. JJ has a good prognosis for full recovery. Lastly, the Vet administered prophylactic treatment against trypanosomiasis to a female security dog in Meru National Park.
Acknowledgement
We wish to express our sincere appreciation to Sylvie Chantecaille for the unwavering and generous financial support extended to the Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Your consistent contributions have played a vital role in the preservation of wildlife and their habitats within the Meru ecosystem. We are also grateful to the Kenya Wildlife Service, specifically acknowledging the Senior Assistant Director-Eastern Conservation Area and the Head of KWS-Veterinary Services Department for their indispensable oversight and logistical support. The collaborative efforts of our conservation partners and the individuals who reported wildlife cases are equally acknowledged, as their steadfast support has been instrumental during our interventions.
Case Details
March 2024
Elephant Bullet wound
Keno Area, Samburu County
On 09/03/2024, the Meru Veterinary team responded to a distressing case involving an elephant bull displaying pronounced lameness in the Keno area of Samburu County. The team was swiftly airlifted from Meru National Park to Ngurunit airstrip by an aircraft from Save The Elephants. A Kenya Wildlife Service Marsabit Land Cruiser then ferried the veterinary team to the treatment site
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant was found in an area with dense vegetation obstructing approach by vehicle. The animal was therefore darted from foot and successfully immobilized with 20mgs Etorphine 10 minutes post-darting. To mitigate potential ocular damage and minimize visual excitation, the elephant's ears were used as blindfolds Its body was also generously doused with water to enhance thermoregulation.
Upon examination, the elephant was found to have a gunshot wound to the right hind leg resulting in fractured metatarsal bones. Multiple spear wounds located at the base of the tail were also observed and concurrent symptoms of diarrhoea. The wounds were cleaned with water, debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, and flushed with Iodine. Antibiotic pessaries and green clay were packed into the wounds followed by intramuscular administration of 140mgs Dexamethasone and 12,000mgs Oxytetracycline to address systemic inflammation and bacterial infection.
Anaesthesia was reversed with 250mgs Naltrexone administered intravenously and 250 mgs intramuscularly. The elephant regained consciousness, but it was too weak to stand. Continuous overnight monitoring by the KWS Marsabit team and Milgis Trust teams ensued with the expectation of improvement. Unfortunately, the elephant was still recumbent the following morning and his condition was deteriorating. Therefore, he was euthanized to alleviate further pain and suffering.
Prognosis
Sadly, the elephant had a grave prognosis and was euthanized to alleviate further pain and suffering.
Rhino Natural Causes Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy
The Ol Pejeta Conservancy veterinary team reported a white rhino bull named JJ with fight wounds.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The injured rhinoceros bull was spotted in the early morning hours on 14/03/2024 and tracked using a fixedwing aircraft. He was approached with a vehicle and darted on the rump with a combination of 5mg Etorphine and 80mg Azaperone. He was safely secured when the drugs took effect. To prevent ocular damage and visual excitation, he was blindfolded and generously doused with water to aid in thermoregulation. Intranasal oxygen insufflation was initiated to enhance cardio-respiratory function. JJ was observed to be in good body condition, scoring 4 out of 5. He had sustained penetrating wounds in the inguinal area and abrasion wounds on the sternal area and the lateral medial aspect of the hind leg The wounds were cleansed with water, debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, and flushed with Iodine. Oxytetracycline pessaries and green clay were packed into the wounds then a topical antibiotic spray was applied. Intramuscularly, the 15,000mg Amoxicillin and 3,000mg Flunixin meglumine were administered. Anaesthesia was successfully reversed with 100mg Naltrexone.
Prognosis
JJ has a good prognosis
Security Dog Technical Case
Meru National Park
The Meru Veterinary team administered prophylactic treatment against trypanosomiasis to a female security dog named Packer stationed at the Meru Canine Unit.
Examination and vaccination
Trypanosomiasis is a highly fatal disease transmitted by Tsetse flies. Symptoms of this disease in affected dogs include anorexia, dehydration, weight loss, before ultimately succumbing to the illness. Packer was vaccinated against trypanosomiasis to ensure she remains in optimal health and condition for security operations.
Packer was allowed to become acquainted with the veterinarian beforehand to prevent any excitement during the examination. Upon physical examination, it was observed that she was in good overall body condition, active, and alert. Her body weight was measured, and the appropriate drug dosages were calculated based on the recorded weight. 0.8 mls Triquin® was administered subcutaneously on the dorsal side of her neck. No adverse reactions were observed after drug administration.
Prognosis
Packer has a good prognosis.
