SWT/KWS Meru Mobile Veterinary Report for August 2022

Report by Dr. Aminga Duncan

though the drought has spilled over into August, we are optimistic that the Eastern Conservation Area will receive a substantial amount of rain soon. Nevertheless, wildlife continues to flourish with most of the female herbivores seen this month observed to be in mid gestation.

Meru Veterinary attended to 4 cases in August 2022. This included follow up treatment on a Grevy’s zebra stallion that was treated in July for deep cut wounds; treatment of a giraffe bull for an abrasion wound; and the treatment of an elephant bull for a bullet wound. The vet also administered yearly booster vaccines to a security dog working with the Meru Rhino Security team.

Acknowledgement

Sheldrick Wildlife

conservation partners and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)

Eastern Conservation Area, and the Head KWS

Unit

Zebra Human Wildlife Conflict

Meru National Park

On the 20th July 2022, the Meru Mobile Vet Unit treated a Grevy’s zebra stallion in Muriri town for deep cut wounds inflicted with machetes. The zebra was thereafter translocated to Meru National Park where it has been recovering in the safety of the park. The Vet Unit carried out follow up treatment on 12th August 2022 to enhance its recovery.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The zebra was darted with 7mg Etorphine and 70mg Azaperone. It ran for about 100 metres, when the dart landed, before going down in sternal recumbency. The zebra was blindfolded then it was positioned in lateral recumbency and doused with water to cool the body. The wounds on its hind legs and the frontal part of its head were noted to be healing well. They were cleaned with water, debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and flushed with Iodine. Antibiotic ointment and green clay were applied on the wounds followed by an antibiotic spray to keep off flies. 6,000mg Amoxicillin, 40mg Dexamethasone sodium and 20cc of metabolic stimulators were administered parenterally before reversing anaesthesia with 28mg Diprenorphine. The stallion rose 3 minutes later.

Prognosis

An improvement in the zebra’s body condition was noted Prognosis for full recovery is good.

Giraffe Natural Causes

Meru National Park

While on routine patrol, the Meru Veterinary Unit came across an adult reticulated giraffe bull with an abrasion wound on the lateral side of its left forelimb.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The giraffe bull was found in the company of 2 sub adults. The injured giraffe was darted on the rump with 15mg Etorphine and 40mg Azaperone placed in a 3ml dart. Full immobilization was achieved after 10 minutes. The giraffe was roped down then the head and neck were pinned to the ground. Anaesthesia was immediately reversed once the bull was down to ensure he was fully awake during treatment. It was suspected that the wound was caused by blunt trauma from a stone or a tree branch. The wound was cleaned with water; loose skin edges were trimmed; dead tissue was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide then the wound was flushed with Iodine. The wound was then packed with green clay and an antibiotic spray applied to keep off flies 80mg Dexamethasone sodium, 6000mg Amoxicillin and 5ml Ivermectin were administered parenterally before the giraffe was released.

Prognosis

The giraffe has a good prognosis for recovery

Elephant Bullet wound Loisaba Conservancy

The Meru Mobile Vet Unit was asked by Angela Sheldrick to attend to an injured elephant bull in Loisaba Conservancy

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The wounded elephant and 2 other bulls had taken shelter in a bushy area which was inaccessible by vehicle. The elephant was eventually flushed out into an open area with a helicopter from Ol Malo after an unsuccessful attempt to achieve this with a fixed wing aircraft. The injured bull was darted from a vehicle with 16 mg Etorphine and prevented from returning to the forested area. Full immobilization was achieved 5 minutes post darting. The elephant went down in sternal recumbency, it was pushed over to left lateral recumbency and doused with water to cool its body A bullet wound with massive soft tissue swelling around the right thigh was observed. The wound was cleaned with Hydrogen peroxide, flushed with Iodine, infused with antibiotic ointment and covered with antibiotic spray. 15,000mg Amoxicillin and 120 mg Dexamethasone sodium were administered parenterally to manage bacterial infections and inflammation before reversing anaesthesia with 24mg Diprenorphine and 40mg Naltrexone. The elephant rose 2 minutes later and slowly walked away.

Prognosis

It was suspected that the elephant’s knee joint was compromised. A poor prognosis for recovery was given.

Dutch Shephard Technical Case

Meru National Park

Rabies is a deadly virus spread to people from the saliva of infected animals. It is usually transmitted through a bite, and it can be prevented by interrupting transmission through dog vaccinations. Booster vaccines for rabies, canine distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvo (DHLP) are given annually to canines to enhance immunity.

Immobilisation, examination and vaccination

The security dog was allowed to familiarize herself with the environment and the Veterinarian to calm her down. Once calm, the dog was muzzled as the vet prepared the vaccines. The vaccines were then administered subcutaneously. She was noted to be in a good body condition

Prognosis

The security dog has a good prognosis since no adverse effects were observed post vaccination.