 Reference Base  Mortalities associated with the capture, translocation, t... |
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McCulloch, B.; Achard, P.L., 1969. Mortalities associated with the capture, translocation, trade and exhibition of black rhinoceroses, Diceros bicornis. International Zoo Yearbook 9: 184-191
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| Location: |
Africa - Eastern Africa - Tanzania |
| Subject: |
Diseases - Bacterial |
| Species: |
Black Rhino |
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Two deaths were attributed to babesiasis. It was unfortunate that no post-mortem examinations were carried out, and that blood smears only were available for examination. On these, large forms of Babesia were seen. The parasites appeared to be very similar to those described by Brocklesby (1967) who is of the opinion that if piroplasm forms are present in very large numbers they may possibly be of pathogenic importance. Prophylactic control with diminazine aceturate appeared to be inadequate and an attempt to control vector ticks by spraying with dioxathion was followed by disastrous results. Unfortunately, it was not possible to establish unequivocally that dioxathion was responsible. Scott (1964) in a review article drawing attention to the toxic actions of pesticides on man and animals points out with regard to organo-phosphorus compounds, such as dioxathion, that copious salivation, hypermobility of the intestines and muscular twitchings are the most obvious signs of toxic activity. In our cases, the only outstanding symptoms were muscular twitching and weakness of muscle structures. Histopathological work on formalised tissue blocks from the affected rhinoceros has been reported by Mugera & Wandera (1967) who observed a coagulative type of necrosis in kidney tissues; centro-lobular haemorrhagic hepatitis; pulmonary congestion, oedema and emphysema. They also reported granular and hyaline degeneration of skeletal muscle tissues. It might be worth trying the anti-babesiasis effect of a trypanosomidal complex of diminazine aceturate, homidium bromide and pyrithidium bromide.
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