SWT/KWS Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Report for September 2024
SWT/KWS RIFT VALLEY MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
SEPTEMBER 2024
September Report by Dr. Titus Kaitho
The Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 7 cases in September 2024. Two (2) of these cases involved snared animals. At the WRTI Canine Unit, the team attended to a female security dog named Whisky who sadly died 4 days later from cancer. Additionally, the team attended to 3 zebra cases with injuries arising from natural causes.
Acknowledgement
The Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary team greatly appreciates The Brady Hunter Foundation for funding the Unit through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT). The team acknowledges Angela Sheldrick, CEO -SWT for her unwavering support and interest in the work undertaken by the Mobile Veterinary Unit and thanks the Wildlife Research & Training Institute (WRTI) for hosting the Unit at WRTI - Naivasha. The team additionally thanks all the stakeholders and scouts who reported wildlife in distress and supported the veterinary interventions captured in this report. Thank you all.
Case Details
SWT/KWS Rift Valley Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations
September 2024
Security Dog
Natural Causes
The Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) Canine Security staff reported that Whisky, an adult female Belgian Malinois, security dog had exhibited reduced appetite, wasting, vomiting and diarrhoea for the last one week.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
Upon examination Whisky was found to have pale mucous membranes, worn out teeth, a dry muzzle, very harsh lung sounds, and a temperature of 39.04⁰C (feverish). There was a large mass on the posterior aspect of the mammary glands, the mass was hard in consistency and weighed approximately 400 grams. The disfigured mass of tissue was highly vascularized. Whisky was diagnosed with a mammary tumour which was suspected to be metastatic.
Prognosis
Whisky had a poor prognosis since she had a terminal condition. Given that she was in great pain, the veterinarian recommended euthanasia to alleviate further pain and suffering.
Case
Zebra Snared Ngonyumu, Gilgil
Honorary Warden Murai from Gilgil reported the sighting of a severely lame adult female common zebra.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The zebra was darted with 5 mg Etorphine and 80 mg Azaperone. The female zebra had been wounded on the right hind leg by a wire snare. The injury was the cause of severe lameness. The wound was cleaned with water and rinsed with tincture of Iodine. A fly repellent (Alamycin® Aerosol) was applied. Additionally, 9,000 mg Amoxicillin Trihydrate, 250 mg Flunixin Meglumine, and 40 ml Butasal® was administered intramuscularly. 5 ml Ivermectin was also administered subcutaneously. Anaesthesia was reversed with 75 mg Naltrexone given by intramuscular (IM) and intravenous (IV) route.
Prognosis
The zebra has a good prognosis.
Elsamere staff reported a wounded female common zebra foal.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The zebra foal was darted with 2.5 mg Etorphine combined with 40 mg Azaperone. Upon examination, maggot infested wounds were observed on the foal’s hind leg and front leg at the shoulder region. The wounds were infected and suppurative. The zebra foal had been mauled by hyenas. The septic wounds were cleaned with water, rinsed with tincture of Iodine, and covered with a fly repellent (Alamycin® Aerosol). 4,500 mg Amoxicillin Trihydrate, 100 mg Flunixin Meglumine, and 40 ml Butasal were administered intramuscularly. Additionally, 2.5 mg Ivermectin was administered subcutaneously before anaesthesia was reversed with 75mg of Naltrexone given by IM and IV route.
Prognosis
The foal has a good prognosis. She later rejoined her mother.
Case
Zebra Natural Causes
Elsamere
After treating the common zebra foal, the Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to the mare that had been wounded on the right hind leg.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The mare was darted with 5 mg Etorphine and 80 mg Azaperone. Upon examination, it was observed that the female common zebra had been mauled by hyenas on the hind leg while trying to protect her foal. The large bite wound on her right hind leg was cleaned with water and rinsed with tincture of Iodine. A fly repellent (Alamycin® Aerosol) was then applied on the wound. 9,000 mg Amoxicillin Trihydrate and 300 mg Flunixin Meglumine were administered intramuscularly while 5 ml Ivermectin was administered subcutaneously. General anaesthesia was reversed with 75 mg Naltrexone, three-quarters of the dose was administered intramuscularly while the rest was administered intravenously to avoid re-narcotization.
Prognosis
The zebra mare has a good prognosis
Security Dog
Sadly, on 21/09/2024, the security dog named Whisky that had been examined by the veterinarian a few days prior passed on. A full postmortem examination was undertaken.
General post-mortem findings
Whisky was in fair body condition before death. There was a growth on one of the posterior mammary glands that had no definite shape. Pale conjunctival mucous membranes and worn-out teeth were observed.
Significant post-mortem findings
Upon excision of the swelling on the posterior mammary glands, it was found to be comprised of several growths of indefinite shape and whitish in appearance. Fluid also oozed from the swelling on excision. There was presence of froth within the tracheal lumen. The lungs were severely congested and with a hard consistency (hepatized lungs). There was presence of numerous, multifocal whitish nodules within the lung parenchyma, each having a gritty consistency. These nodules were suspected to be related to the ones found on the mammary swellings (metastases) Slight hepatomegaly, congested kidneys and presence of a hematoma on the spleen was also observed. Samples of the mammary tumour, lung tissue, liver tissue and spleen tissue were taken.
Cause of death
Whisky died from a mammary tumor that metastasized to the lungs.
Mammary tumours are common in dogs, most commonly occurring in sexually intact females. Most of these mammary tumours are usually malignant. The diversity of the histopathological findings places 50% benign and 50% malignant mammary tumours. The tumours include carcinomas, adenomas, or malignant mixed tumours. The mammary tumours in dogs are usually hormone dependent and involves a complex dysregulation of ovarian hormones and growth factors. The most common sites for metastasis of malignant tumours include regional lymph nodes, lungs, liver, and kidneys. In this case, metastasis occurred in the lungs.
Unfortunately, there are no pictures for this case.
WRTI security staff reported a wounded common zebra stallion.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The zebra was darted with 5 mg Etorphine and 80 mg Azaperone. Upon examination, the animal was found to have suffered a complete open fracture of left hind leg. The wound was extensive, open and bleeding. Unfortunately, the zebra had a poor prognosis. Therefore, the stallion was put to rest to alleviate further pain and suffering.
Prognosis.
The zebra had a poor prognosis and was put to rest to alleviate further suffering. The carcass was safely disposed at WRTI Annex.
Case
Buffalo Snared
Oserian Worker’s Residence
This case was reported by Oserian Security through the Kenya Wildlife Service Naivasha PAC team
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The adult buffalo bull was darted with 9 mg Etorphine and 60 mg Azaperone. The buffalo had been tethered to a live tree by a winch wire snared attached to its horns. A wound inflicted by a sharp object was also observed on the animal’s neck. The snare was removed then the wound was cleaned with water and rinsed with tincture of Iodine. A fly repellent (Alamycin® Aerosol) was then applied on the wound. 18,000 mg Oxytetracycline and 500 mg Flunixin Meglumine were administered intramuscularly, 8 ml Ivermectin was also administered subcutaneously. The bull was then translocated while under general anaesthesia from Oserian Residential area to Mundui – a fenced wildlife conservancy. The translocation distance was about 5 Km on tarmac road. At the release site, anaesthesia was reversed with 225 mg Naltrexone given by IM and IV route.
