Boever, W.J., 1974. Interdigital papilloma in a black rhinoceros. Journal of the American Veterinary Medicine Association 165 (9): 823, fig. 1
|
|
|
|
| |
| Location: |
World |
| Subject: |
Diseases |
| Species: |
Black Rhino |
 |
|
Diceros bicornis in a zoo. A 9-year old male black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) weighing approximately 1100 kg, developed slight tenderness of the front feet and excessive tissue growth in interdigital space between the 2nd (medial) and 3rd (central) digits of both front feet (fig.1). As the lameness became more exaggerated and the tenderness more pronounced, it was elected to remove the masses from the interdigital spaces.
For immobilization, etorphine hydrochloride (M99, American Cyanamid Company, Princeton, NJ) (2 mg.) and acepromazine (Ayerst Laboratories Incorporated, New York, NY) (25 mg.) were given intramuscularly by means of a projectile syringe fired from a CO2-- powered pistol. Within 6 minutes, the rhinoceros started circling. After another 12 minutes, the rhinoceros walked with the classical ?goose-step,' an exaggerated lifting and placing of the forelimbs. The rhinoceros was then forcibly pulled to its side, before it became excited. It remained in lateral recumbency for the remainder of the procedure.
A papilloma measuring 15 by 10 by 8 cm. was removed from the left front foot and a papilloma 5 by 5 by 3 cm. was removed from the right front foot. Each mass was removed by curettage, with hemorrhage controlled by electrocautery. Copper naphthenate (Kop- pertox, Ayerst Laboratories Inc., New York, NY) was then applied topically, and antibiotics were administered parenterally. Within 2 minutes after diprenorphine (M50-50, American Cyanamid Company, Princeton, NJ) was given (4 mg. intravenously and 4 mg. intra- muscularly), the rhinoceros was up on its feet and walking.
Histologically, each mass had the configuration of a papilloma, with the epithelial layer producing horn. For 3 days the rhinoceros continued to experience tenderness in both front feet and stayed off his feet more than usual. After 1 week, however, he began walking normally. Eight months after surgery, the rhinoceros was doing well, without any complications.
|
|
|
Interdigital papilloma in a black rhinoceros
File available
details
Original text on this topic: