Case 20 – 13th October 2022

Giraffe Rescue Garissa County

The Vet Unit received a report of a giraffe that was stuck in a dam in Lapset, Garissa.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

No chemical immobilization was required since the giraffe was stuck in the dam.

Ropes and a land cruiser were used to retrieve the giraffe from the dam. The giraffe was observed to have had an open compound fracture on the left hind limb.

Prognosis

The prognosis was poor and the injury fatal, so the giraffe was euthanized to alleviate pain and suffering.

Disposal of the carcass was done by burying.

Giraffe Snared Garissa County

The vet attended to a number of giraffes in the Garissa region. The giraffes were suffering from long wire and cable snares which had affected the animals at different periods. The severity differed in all animals and different areas of the body.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The giraffe was darted from a vehicle with 15mg Etorphine and 30mg Azaperone, in a 3ml Dan - inject dart and was immobilized after 12 minutes.

The giraffe was observed to have had an old snare wound on the left hind limb. The wound had earlier been treated but had since recurred or either failed to heal completely. The wound was at the hock joint region and had also led to some deformity and abnormal gait. The wound was thoroughly cleaned with water. Hydrogen peroxide was used to cauterize and tincture of Iodine applied. Parenteral drug administration with 100ml Biocillin and 50ml Dexamethasone.

Prognosis

Recovery from anaesthesia was smooth and she ambulated well after treatment. Prognosis is good.

Giraffe Snared Garissa County

The vet attended a number of giraffes in the Garissa region. The giraffes were suffering from long wire and cable snares which had affected the animals at different times. The severity differed in all animals and different regions of the body.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

Etorphine 15mg and Azaperone 30mg, in a 3 ml Dan - inject dart was prepared. Darting was carried out from a vehicle using a Dan inject dart rifle. The giraffe was darted and immobilized after 7 minutes. The antidote was immediately administered after the giraffe went down and vital parameters well monitored.

A swelling caused by a snare or foreign object injury was observed around the left forelimb. The giraffe was immobilized, and an examination done. No physical injury was observed but a swelling was evident. The giraffe was given 50ml Dexamethasone for the swelling.

Prognosis

Prognosis is good as the giraffe moved well after it was released.

Giraffe Snared Garissa County

The vet attended a number of giraffes in the Garissa region. The giraffes were suffering from long wire and cable snares which had affected the animals at different periods. The severity differed in all animals and different regions of the body.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The giraffe was darted from a vehicle with 15mg Etorphine and 30mg Azaperone, in a 3ml Dan - inject dart and immobilized after 10 minutes.

The giraffe was promptly de-snared using wire cutters. The cable snare was deeply embedded in the left hindlimb. The wound was thoroughly cleaned with water. Hydrogen peroxide was used to cauterize and tincture of Iodine applied. The giraffe was also administered with Biocillin 30% L.A 50 ml intramuscular and Dexamethasone HCL-100ml.

Prognosis

The antidote was immediately administered after the giraffe went down and vital parameters monitored. Recovery from anaesthesia was smooth and she ambulated well after treatment. Prognosis is good.

Giraffe Snared Garissa County

The vet attended a number of giraffes in the Garissa region. The giraffes were suffering from long wire and cable snares which had affected the animals at different periods. The severity differed in all animals and different regions of the body.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The giraffe was immobilised in 7 minutes after it was darted from a vehicle with 15mg Etorphine Hcl and 30mg Azaperone. The anaesthetic was immediately reversed, and vital parameters well monitored.

A tight snare was observed around the neck region. The giraffe was promptly de-snared using wire cutters. Thankfully the snare had caused no physical injury to the neck To cover for any inflammation the giraffe was administered with 50ml Dexamethasone.

Prognosis

Prognosis is good and the giraffe recovered well from the anaesthetic.

Giraffe Snared Garissa County

The vet attended a number of giraffes in the Garissa region. The giraffes were suffering from long wire and cable snares which had affected the animals at different periods. The severity deferred in all animals and different regions of the body.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The giraffe was darted from a vehicle with 15mg Etorphine Hcl and 30mg Azaperone. The anaesthetic took effect within 10 minutes but was immediately reversed once the animal was manually restrained.

The giraffe was promptly de-snared using wire cutters. Physical injury could not be observed apart from a swelling on the affected limb. The giraffe was administered with 50ml Dexamethasone for the swelling.

Prognosis

The giraffe recovered well from the anaesthesia and has a good prognosis.