Miller, R.E., 1994. Diseases of black rhinoceroses in captivity: pp. 180-185
 | In: Penzhorn, B.L. et al. Proceedings of a symposium on rhinos as game ranch animals. Onderstepoort, Republic of South Africa, 9-10 September 1994: pp. i-iv, 1-242 |
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Diseases |
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All Rhino Species |
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Mucocutaneous Ulcerative Syndrome. Oral, nasal and cutaneous ulcers have been frequently reported in black rhinoceros, and in captivity, often lead to debilitation and can progress to death. Infection with Stephanofilaria dinniki, the most common cause of skin ulcers in wild black rhinoceroses, has not been identified in captive animals. At the present time, the ulcerative syndrome has been identified in 45 black rhinoceroses in North America. A typical case starts with raised plaques that progress to vesicles and subsequent ulcers. Often they start over points of wear (where early lesions are difficult to differentiate clinically from scrapes) and peripheral areas (eg, ear tips, coronary bands) and in severe cases may progress to cover larger areas (up to 70% of the body surface) over the lateral and ventral thorax and abdomen. Typically, the lesions are bilaterally symmetrical.
Histologically, the initial lesions are characterized as superficial necrolytic dermatitis. When present, inflammatory changes are found in association with ulcers. At the present time, the aetiology remains unknown. Bacterial isolates from the lesions have been variable and most likely reflect secondary infection; neither viral inclusions nor viral particles have been noted in the cases examined histologically (and viral culture has been negative in two additional cases). Additionally, there has been no evidence of autoimmune disease in two cases that were examined using antiporcine, anti-equine or anti-rhinoceros immunoglobulin. Due to the similarity with superficial necrolytic dermatitis, the possibility of concurrent liver disease, nutritional deficiencies, andlor endocrine abnormalities are being evaluated.
In many of the less extensive cases, the ulcers resolve spontaneously. Others have noted an apparent marked response to corticosteroid therapy. That therapy is associated with an increased incidence of fungal pneumonias (primarily Aspergillosis species, see below), however, and should be used only in cases that are clearly life-threatening.
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Diseases of black rhinoceroses in captivity
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