Serial Temperature Monitoring and Comparison of Rectal and Muscle Temperatures in Immobilized Free-Ranging Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis)

2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter vdB Morkel ◽  
Michele Miller ◽  
Mark Jago ◽  
Robin W. Radcliffe ◽  
Pierre du Preez ◽  
...  
2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 820-826 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Miller ◽  
Patricia Sue Chavey ◽  
Jennifer Hofmeyr ◽  
Nomkhosi Mathebula ◽  
Alyssa Doering ◽  
...  

2001 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.J. Walpole ◽  
M. Morgan-Davies ◽  
S. Milledge ◽  
P. Bett ◽  
N. Leader-Williams

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janine Meuffels ◽  
Imke Lueders ◽  
Henk Bertschinger ◽  
Ilse Luther-Binoir ◽  
Friederike Pohlin ◽  
...  

Conservation management interventions for the critically endangered black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) require immobilization, which offer opportunities for semen collection and cryopreservation to establish genetic reservoirs. In free-ranging rhinoceroses, a combination of the potent opioid etorphine and the tranquilizer azaperone is routinely used for chemical immobilization but is associated with muscle rigidity and severe cardiopulmonary changes. Additionally, azaperone inhibits semen emission. Seven free-ranging, male, sexually mature black rhinoceroses were immobilized with an alternative protocol consisting of 4.5 mg etorphine, 5 mg medetomidine, 50 mg midazolam and 2,500 IU hyaluronidase delivered remotely by darting from a helicopter. During the immobilization, electro-ejaculation was performed with a portable electro-ejaculator, and a species-specific rectal probe. Animals were observed for muscle tremors. Longitudinal changes in respiratory rate, heart rate and peripheral oxyhemoglobin saturation, measured at 5 min intervals, were assessed using a general mixed model. Non-invasive oscillometric blood pressure and arterial blood gas variables were measured at first handling and before reversal and compared using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. All animals were successfully immobilized, showed no muscle tremors, presented with normal heart rates and lactate concentration (<5 mmol/L), recovered uneventfully, but experienced acidemia, hypoxemia and hypercapnia. Induction time and total time in recumbency were 4.2 ± 0.41 and 38.4 ± 6.9 min, respectively. Electro-stimulation commenced after 11.7 ± 3.98 min and completed after 24.3 ± 6.65 min. Semen-rich fractions were successfully collected from six animals. Our observations indicate that etorphine-medetomidine-midazolam provides a promising immobilization protocol for free-ranging black rhinoceroses, that allows for successful electro-ejaculation.


Author(s):  
G.F. Stegmann ◽  
M. Hofmeyr ◽  
A. Olivier ◽  
E. Lane ◽  
D.H. Volkmann

Anaesthesia was required in a heavily-pregnant, adult, free-ranging African black rhinoceros Diceros bicornis with a rectal prolapse for examination and possible treatment. The animal was immobilised with 4.5 mg etorphine and 60 mg azaperone. For continued observation, the immobilised animal was transported to a boma. Additional etorphine and azaperone were administered to keep the animal anaesthetised during treatment and transport. In addition, 15 mg nalorphine was administered during this time to improve ventilation and reduce muscle rigidity. Sixty hours later, in preparation for surgery, 2.5 mg etorphine and 40 mg azaperone were administered, followed by endotracheal intubation and halothane anaesthesia. During anaesthesia, a decrease in tidal volume was observed. Venous blood-gas analysis indicated a decrease in the oxygen partial pressure, and a mixed respiratory and metabolic acidosis. Cardiac arrest was preceded by an increase in heart rate and tidal volume after 80 min of inhalation anaesthesia.


Author(s):  
Åsa Fahlman ◽  
Anna Edner ◽  
Sandra Wenger ◽  
Chris Foggin ◽  
Görel Nyman

When immobilising wildlife, adverse side effects can include hypoxaemia, acidosis and hypertension. Pulmonary gas exchange and acid–base status were evaluated during immobilisation of 25 free-ranging and one boma-held black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) in Zimbabwe. The effect of different body positions on arterial oxygenation was evaluated. A combination of the following drugs was used: an opioid (etorphine or thiafentanil), azaperone and an a2 -adrenoceptor agonist (detomidine or xylazine). Respiratory and heart rates, rectal temperature and pulse oximetry–derived haemoglobin oxygen saturation were recorded. Serial arterial blood samples were analysed immediately in the field. Marked hypoxaemia and hypercapnia were recorded in immobilised free-ranging black rhinoceroses. Arterial oxygenation was higher during sternal compared to lateral recumbency. Most rhinoceroses developed acidaemia of respiratory and metabolic origin. Initially high lactate concentrations in free-ranging rhinoceroses decreased during immobilisation. Pulse oximetry was unreliable in the detection of hypoxaemia. Positioning in sternal recumbency and routine use of oxygen supplementation are recommended in the management of immobilised rhinoceroses as measures to improve arterial oxygenation.


Author(s):  
A. Olivier ◽  
E. Lane ◽  
D.H. Volkmann ◽  
M. Hofmeyr ◽  
G.F. Stegmann

The oedematous and traumatised protruding section of the rectal tissue of an adult free-ranging female African black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) was surgically amputated. Immediately before completion of surgery, the rhinoceros died of anaesthetic-related cardiac arrest. At necropsy a deformed pelvis and sacrum associated with a healed fracture of the left ileal wing were noted. New bone formation in and around the left ventral sacral foramina may have resulted in neuropathy of particularly the 3rd and 4th left ventral sacral nerves, which (in the horse) supply the majority of the nerve fibres innervating the caudal rectum and anus. The cause of the injury is not known, although back injuries, presumably sustained during mating by bulls, have been recorded in white rhinoceros. An encounter with elephants could also have been responsible for the injury in this case.


2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (3s) ◽  
pp. S55-S60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Miller ◽  
Francisco Olea-Popelka ◽  
Jennifer Joubert ◽  
Nomkhosi Mathebula ◽  
David Zimmerman ◽  
...  

1967 ◽  
Vol 101 (920) ◽  
pp. 357-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Hungerford ◽  
H. Sharat Chandra ◽  
Robert L. Snyder

1964 ◽  
Vol 38 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 171-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. G. Tremlett

In South Africa, a filarioid infestation has been associated with lesions in the skin of the black rhinoceros (Schulz and Kluge, 1960). Similar lesions had been reported earlier from Kenya, as consistently occurring in these animals but their aetiology was unknown (Spinage, 1960). Recently the opportunity occurred to examine lesion material from four black rhinoceros located in the Royal Tsavo National Park Kenya. From this material adult helminths were recovered and identified (Round, 1964), and further pathological studies made. In addition, one rhinoceros showed evidence of an otitis.


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