SWT/KWS MERU MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT JULY 2021
Introduction
7 Cases in July
2 Poaching Cases
1 Elephant Case
July Report by Dr. Ndambiri Ephantus Human wildlife conflict has been noted during the period under review. This possibly has been attributed by the dry season which has set in rapidly. There are hardly any farm works/cultivation in the farms neighbouring the Conservation Area therefore people start intruding into protected areas causing conflict. Various interventions were carried out during July, including two endangered Grevy zebras treated for natural causes, an elephant also treated for natural causes and a security dog treated twice for Trypanosomiasis. The Unit also conducted a post-mortem on a rhino sadly shot in a poaching incident and treated a lion for a snare wound around the neck. knowledgement Humbly recognized is the unwavering support by The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the partners towards the intervention activities offered by the Mobile Vet Unit. It is through such sponsorship together with other Conservation partners including governmental and non-governmental institutions, private Conservancies/Ranches and the Community that many animals have a second chance of survival more importantly without pain. God bless you all.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
3-Jul-21
Zebra
Lewa Conservancy
Natural Causes
There was a penetrating on the right forelimb, the chest and armpit caused by another zebra
Successfully Treated
3-Jul-21
Zebra
Lewa Conservancy
Natural Causes
Had a tumorous growth that was very large and had ruptured the skin (Equine Sarcoid)
Prognosis Poor
5-Jul-21
Lion
Snared
Had a snare around the neck that had caused damage to the muscle
Successfully Treated
23-Jul-21
Security Dog
24-Jul-21
Elephant
Mpala Ranch
Natural Causes
25-Jul-21
Security Dog
Meru National Park
Natural Causes
The dog was due for a review treatment as his temperature spiked again
Successfully Treated
26-Jul-21
Rhino White
Solio Ranch
Bullet Wound
A gunshot was heard the previous night and the trophies were missing from the carcass
Poaching Death
Meru National Park Meru National Park
Reason for Intervention
Natural Causes
The dog had been out in the field in an area with a high population of Tsetse fly. This was a possible source of infection and concern A deep incision wound the left front foot, possibly caused by rubbing on a sharp surface
Outcome
Successfully Treated Successfully Treated
SWT/KWS Meru Vet Unit Treatment Locations July 2021
Case 1 – 3rd July 2021 Zebra
Natural Causes
Lewa Conservancy
The Lewa team noted an injured adult Grevy zebra with several wounds on the body. It was in the company of other zebras and walked with lameness, carrying the right forelimb. A fellow zebra approached and started coaxing the injured zebra to start moving. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was darted with 6mg Etorphine and 70mg Azaperone. The animal was startled and took off with the other Grevy. They were carefully followed to avoid startling them while the drugs took effect. The wounds were cleaned with water to clearly see the extent of the wounds. There was a penetrating laceration wound on the right forelimb at the carpus joint going downwards, the chest area and also the armpit area. The neck also had substantial lacerations and scratches. The leg and neck wound were cleaned with 6% Hydrogen peroxide to remove infected tissue and pus. It was then disinfected with Iodine and sprayed with Oxytetracycline as a topical antibiotic and fly repellent. The zebra was then turned over to access the wounds on the opposite side, including a deep penetrating wound on the flank and a laceration wound at the left rump. The wounds were all cleaned in the same manner. The flank wound was also infiltrated with 5ml Amoxicillin. Green clay was applied to the rump and healing oil to the leg. The zebra was also given 1,500mg Enrofloxacin, 20ml Multivitamin, 40mg Dexamethasone and 40mg Ivermectin. Prognosis The wounds were as a result of a predatorial attack but prognosis for a full recovery is good.
Case 2 – 3rd July 2021 Zebra
Natural Causes
Lewa Conservancy
The zebra was noted by the Lewa team to have a large growth on the right side at the level just posterior to the right hind limb armpit. The growth stood out distinguishing her from the rest of the zebra herd. The growth was dark in colour and notably causing discomfort as she would stop to clean it or chase away flies. Immobilisation, examination and treatment A Dan-inject dart was loaded with 5mg Etorphine mixed with 50mg Azaperone and the zebra darted from the vehicle. The animal was startled and ran off but she quickly went down on left lateral recumbency. The growth was very large and had areas where the skin had ruptured. It was a case of Equine Sarcoid. On palpation, the mass was firm and had a wide pedicle. Gauging from the size, the tumour was well established meaning it had a very well vascularised system. Due to the extent of the growth, a conservative approach was recommended. The growth was first infiltrated with Enrofloxacin to control local infection then the wound and exposing muscle was cleaned with Hydrogen peroxide to debride. Iodine was used to disinfect the wound after which it was coated with a healing oil and sprayed with Oxytetracycline. A tourniquet was placed around the mass to reduce the vascular supply and start reducing the size gradually as it was too big to operate on. The zebra was also given 6,000mg Amoxicillin, 40mg Dexamethasone, 20ml Multivitamin and 35mg Ivermectin. Prognosis Prognosis poor as the mass was large and highly vascularised making surgery to risky. Follow up treatment is advised.
Case 3 – 5th July 2021 Lion
Snare
Meru National Park
The Born free team came across three adult lionesses and seven cubs. One of the female cubs, had a snare around the neck. The Vet Team found the pride resting near a water point. The body condition of the snared cub compared to the others was not as good most likely due to the discomfort, pain and restriction that the snare was causing. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The lion was immobilised with a mixture of 200mg Ketamine and 4mg Medetomidine. The dart was fired from a vehicle, which landed in the left thigh. The cub and one of the adults were startled but luckily, they did not go too far. The darted lion hid behind some bushes and calmy lay down while the drugs took effect and the others hovered around curious of what was going on. Once the pride had been moved off to a safe distance the team moved her to a shaded area for treatment. The snare had gone round the neck and had cut through the skin and into the muscle mostly on the ventral part of the neck. The wound was infected with a bit of pus and odour coming from the area. The wire was carefully removed then the wound was cleaned with Hydrogen Peroxide, flushed with a tincture of Iodine and packed with healing green clay to help draw out the infection and protect the wound from natural elements. It was finally sprayed with Oxytetracycline and coated with healing oil containing Phenoloids. The lion was also administered with 250mg Enrofloxacin, 8mg Dexamethasone, 4ml Multivitamin and a subcutaneous injection of 10mg Ivermectin. Prognosis Prognosis fair as the wound wasn’t heavily infected and was in the company of its pride. Monitoring was advised.
Case 4 – 23rd July 2021 Security Dog
Natural Causes
Meru National Park
The handler reported that the dog had not been feeding well for a while. The feed had not been changed and had not gone bad. He noted in the morning most of the food was still in the bowl. The temperature was measured and found to be 39.9˚C, which was on the higher side. The veterinary team found the dog in the kennel, and he was active and alert especially on coming out of the kennel. Stool was reported as normal despite the poor feeding. The handler had poured some water over the dog to aid with cooling the dog down. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The dog was muzzled just for closer examination. The mucus membranes were pink and moist, and the lymph nodes were normal. The temperature was still 39.8˚C along with a generalized warmth on the underbelly. Dehydration status was not bad, on tenting the skin it went back to normal. Aside from increased breath sounds, the lungs and trachea were clear, and the heart beat regular. It was noted that the dog had been out in the field for an exercise in an area that had a high population of Tsetse fly. This was a possible source of infection and concern. The dog was administered with 6mg Dexamethasone, 3ml Multivitamin, 3ml Oxytetracycline and 1.5ml Diminazine Aceturate. Prognosis The dog was diagnosed with Trypanosmiasis. Prognosis is fair but the dog should be closely observed.
Case 5 – 24th July 2021 Elephant
Natural Causes
Mpala Ranch
The Field Rangers at the Mpala Research Centre noticed a lame adult female elephant in the company of three other younger elephants. Assessment revealed lameness due to a wound to the foot on the left forelimb. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was successfully darted from a vehicle with 16mg Etorphine hydrochloride delivered using a Dan-Inject CO₂ gun. The elephant was slightly startled but did not move from the area. The animal went down on sternal recumbency, and the team moved in to push away the younger elephants while another helped push the elephant onto left lateral recumbency. The body condition was poor with the spine, facial skull bones and hip prominences being noticeable meaning she had been struggling to feed. Examination of the left forelimb revealed a deep incision wound on the medial aspect of the foot, possibly caused by rubbing on a sharp surface. The wound was infected with a lot of pus. Water was used to clear the pus and on further examination, a six inches deep puncture wound was revealed at the centre of the wound. The wound was cleaned with water to clear the pus and then flushed with Hydrogen peroxide and disinfected with Iodine. The puncture wound was packed with antibiotic pessaries containing Tetracycline then green clay was then used to seal off the wound and a topical spray of Oxytetracycline applied. The elephant was also given 20,000mg Oxytetracycline and 40ml Multivitamin and 40mg Dexamethasone intravenously. Prognosis The prognosis was favourable as the treatment will promote healing.
Case 6 – 25th July 2021 Security Dog
Natural Causes
Meru National Park
The dog was treated on the 23rd of July 2021 and was due for a review treatment for Trypanosmiasis. On the day, the temperature had spiked again and was at 40˚C. The dog had also not fed well. The team rushed in to assess the dog and carry out treatment. The dog was found within the kennel and was seen to be active and alert especially on coming out of the kennel. Stool was reported as normal despite the poor feeding. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The dog was muzzled just for closer examination. The mucus membranes were pink and moist and the lymph nodes were normal. The temperature was taken again and was 39.2C̊, still on the higher side but had cooled down. The body was warm to touch but the dehydration status was not bad; on tenting the skin it went back to normal. The dog was given intramuscular injections of 3ml of Catosal (Vitamin B12), 3ml of Oxytetracycline and 6mg of Dexamethasone administered intravenously. Prognosis Prognosis was fair to guarded especially with the fluctuating on and off fever. Close observation of the dog following treatment especially on; the feeding behaviour, temperature and any other abnormalities was recommended. The dog will be closely monitored, and treatment administered every other day.
Case 7 – 26th July 2021 White Rhino
Bullet Wound
Solio Ranch
An adult female southern white rhino at Solio Ranch was found dead. The case was suspected poaching as a gunshot was heard the previous night and the trophies were missing from the carcass. Post-mortem Findings •
There was a dry blood trail towards the carcass for about five meters.
•
It was less than 24 hours old. It was examined and then flipped over for a thorough examination
•
Both horns had been cut off precisely using a sharp object right at their bases
•
A small penetrating wound was found between the 5th and 6th ribs. The animal was flipped to trace the projectile and it was noted that there was no exit wound
•
The left forelimb was deflected to access the thoracic area. There was an exit wound at the 5th and 6th rib, with marked congestion of the muscles, muscle damage and blood clots
•
The damage was traced with the assistance of a metal detector
•
A bullet was found in the triceps muscle. It was retrieved and handed over as forensic evidence
•
There was massive damage to the lung tissue and marked collection of blood within the thoracic cavity
•
The rhino had been pregnant with a female calf approximately 3-5 months
Cause of Death Hypovolemic shock due to excessive bleeding as a result of gunshot in a poaching incident.