White rhinoceros anaesthetised with etorphine and azaperone combination develop adverse physiological changes including hypoxia, hypercapnia, acidosis, tachycardia and hypertension. These changes are more marked in field-anaesthetised rhinoceros. This study was designed to develop a technique to improve safety for field-anaesthetised white rhinoceros by tracheal intubation and oxygen insufflation. Twenty-five free-ranging white rhinoceros were anaesthetised with an etorphine and azaperone combination for translocation or placing microchips in their horns. Once anaesthetised the rhinoceros were monitored prior to crating for transportation or during microchip placement. Physiological measurements included heart and respiratory rate, blood pressure and arterial blood gas samples. Eighteen rhinoceros were intubated using an equine nasogastric tube passed nasally into the trachea and monitored before and after tracheal insufflation with oxygen. Seven rhinoceros were not intubated or insufflated with oxygen and served as controls. All anaesthetised rhinoceros were initially hypoxaemic (percentage arterial haemoglobin oxygen saturation (% O2Sa) = 49 % + 16 (mean + SD) and PaO2 = 4.666 + 1.200 kPa (35 + 9 mm Hg)), hypercapnic (PaCO2 = 8.265 + 1.600 kPa (62 + 12 mm Hg)) and acidaemic (pHa = 7.171 + 0.073 ). Base excess was -6.7 + 3.9 mmol/ℓ, indicating a mild to moderate metabolic acidosis. The rhinoceros were also hypertensive (systolic blood pressure = 21.861 + 5.465 kPa (164 + 41 mm Hg)) and tachycardic (HR = 107 + 31/min). Following nasal tracheal intubation and insufflation, the % O2Sa and PaO2 increased while blood pHa and PaCO2 remained unchanged.Tracheal intubation via the nose is not difficult, and when oxygen is insufflated, the PaO2 and the % O2Sa increases, markedly improving the safety of anaesthesia, but this technique does not correct the hypercapnoea or acidosis. After regaining their feet following reversal of the anaesthesia, the animals' blood gas values return towards normality.
We tested the ability of several GnRH analogues to suppress pituitary-testicular activity and potentially musth in free-ranging African elephants (Loxodonta africana). In Study 1, adult bulls were given 4 or 12 mg GnRH antagonist (Detirelix) or saline i.m. on day 0 (n = 3 bulls per treatment). Animals were then recaptured on day 2 (about 48 h later) and given 300 micrograms GnRH i.v. to assess the ability of the antagonist to block pituitary activity. Detirelix reduced (P < 0.05) basal concentrations of serum LH and testosterone on day 2 compared with day 0, with no effect of dose. Similarly, LH and testosterone release induced by GnRH were also reduced (P < 0.05) in the Detirelix-treated bulls (50-70% reduction in peak concentrations). In Study 2, elephants were given 30 mg of a structurally similar GnRH antagonist (103-201-40; n = 6), 22.5 mg of a long-acting GnRH agonist (Lupron Depot; n = 4) or D-mannitol carrier (n = 4) i.m. on day 0. All bulls were recaptured and given GnRH on day 2 (103-201-40 treatment) or on days 2 and 20 (Lupron Depot treatment) after the initial injection. In contrast to Detirelix, 103-201-40 did not inhibit basal or GnRH-induced LH or testosterone secretion. Pituitary-testicular responses to Lupron Depot were initially stimulatory, as evidenced by increased (P < 0.05) LH and testosterone secretion on days 0 and 2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Rabies is a growing problem in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. This study investigated dog ecology, vaccination coverage and rabies neutralising antibody levels in 203 randomly selected dogs within a local municipality in the former Transkei area. Responses to vaccination were also evaluated in 80 of these dogs. The population was remarkably uniform in size, breed and condition. Slightly over 1/5th of the population was between 6 weeks and 1 year of age, while very few dogs reached 10 years or older. According to owner responses, the Animal Health Technicians achieved a total vaccination coverage of 65 % of owned dogs over several years, but only 56 % within the previous 12 months. Only 32%of dogs had adequate circulating rabies virus neutralisation antibodies (≥0.5IU/ℓ). After vaccination, 83 % had seroconverted to this level. The magnitude of seroconversion was independent of body condition or age. This study proposes a different approach to vaccination strategies than those currently employed in certain areas of the province
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