Surgical Amputation of a Digit and Vacuum-Assisted-Closure (V.A.C.) Management in a Case of Osteomyelitis and Wound Care in an Eastern Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli)

Abstract

A 14-yr-old female eastern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli) presented with progressive suppurative osteomyelitis in her left hind lateral toe. beta-Hemolytic Streptococcus sp. was isolated. The animal was treated with multiple systemic antibiotics, and topical wound cleansing. Repeated debridements and nail trimmings were performed for 5 mo prior to electing amputation. The toe was surgically amputated under general anesthesia between the first and second phalanges. Analgesia was diffused into the wound topically via a catheter and elastomeric pump. The open amputation site was covered with adherent drapes and a negative-pressure wound therapy device provided vacuum-assisted closure (V.A.C.) for 72 hr. Three months later this animal developed a deep dermal ulcer on the lateral aspect of the right hind limb, at the level of the stifle. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was isolated. The wound was managed by initial daily lavage, followed by 1 mo of V.A.C. therapy, with 72 hr between dressing changes. Clinically, this therapy expedited the formation of healthy granulation tissue and overall healing was accelerated. The animal tolerated the machine and bandage changes well via operant conditioning. The use of negative-pressure wound therapy appeared to shorten time to resolution of slow-healing wounds in black rhinoceros.

One Small Step for Rhinos, One Giant Leap for Wildlife Management- Imaging Diagnosis of Bone Pathology in Distal Limb

“…Osteoarthritis in one black rhinoceros [20] and osteomyelitis in one Indian rhinoceros [21] and one Eastern black rhinoceros [22] are the only reported skeletal pathologies in the rhinoceros’ foot. Since bone pathologies in all mammals have universal etiologies, it is not clear why so little has been reported in rhinoceroses.…”

Rhinoceros Feet Step Out of a Rule-of-Thumb: A Wildlife Imaging Pioneering Approach of Synchronized Computed Tomography-Digital Radiography

“…Hitherto, clinicians lacked the diagnostic imaging tools, namely radiographic techniques and protocols, as well as reference documentation regarding radiographic interpretation of both normal anatomy and pathology. In our opinion, the assumption as if chronic foot disease is due to soft tissue issues and the scarcity of data on foot bone pathology [50], [51], [52], [53] are due to lack of radiographic assessment. Therefore, recognizing the importance of looking at this area of science anew, we confronted it from a different, non-invasive perspective: imaging diagnosis.…”

Anaesthetic management of a 10-month-old white rhinoceros (<i>Ceratotherium simum</i>) calf for emergency exploratory celiotomy

“…Anaesthesia may also be maintained with intermittent intravenous ketamine boluses (Wack et al 2010;Walzer et al 2010), detomidine and etorphine (Harrison et al 2011) or ketamine, detomidine and guaifenesin (Esson et al 2006). Partial intravenous anaesthesia (PIVA) as a CRI has not been described before for the rhinoceros.…”

“…Surgical procedures requiring deep sedation or surgical anaesthesia in rhinoceroses to manage conditions such as rectal prolapse (Adams et al 2005;Silberman & Fulton 1979;Stegmann et al 2001), colic (Valverde et al 2010), cancer (Wack et al 2010), toe infections (Harrison et al 2011), and corneal damage (Esson et al 2006) have been described. Adult, free-ranging rhinoceroses are commonly immobilised with etorphine on its own or in combination with azaperone (Adams et al 2005;Bush et al 2004;Esson et al 2006;Harrison et al 2011;Hattingh & Knox 1994;Morkel et al 2010;Portas 2004;Stegmann et al 2001;Vanegas & Schaible 2007;Wack et al 2010;Walzer et al 2010). The rhinoceros calf in this case report was hand-reared and did not require opioid immobilisation to facilitate handling before induction of anaesthesia.…”