Subependymal glioneuronal hamartoma in the mesencephalic aqueduct of a giraffe
A 1-day-old male giraffe calf (Giraffa camelopardalis) was submitted for necropsy examination after sustaining postnatal head trauma from the cow. In addition to the expected findings of severe cerebral edema and epidural and subarachnoid hemorrhage, there also was present an incidental finding of a subependymal glioneuronal aqueductal hamartoma. Reports of this type of congenital lesion […]
Hand-rearing Rothschild or Baringo giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi calves at Bioparc Valencia, Spain, and Leipzig Zoo, Germany
Hand-rearing giraffe calves is a challenging, time-consuming and labour-intensive process. There appears to be high individual variability among different calves. Different feeding schedules and milk substitutes have been used and are discussed. The use of whole cow’s milk is recommended and can be mixed with different supplements or calf milk replacers. The authors recommend weaning […]
Evaluation of passive transfer in captive Greater Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros)
Failure of passive transfer (FPT) in captive greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) calves can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. In this retrospective study, serum samples from neonatal kudu calves were tested for immunoglobulin using different tests validated for domestic ruminants, including measurement of gamma globulin (GG) measured by protein electrophoresis, total solids (TS) measured by […]
Evaluation of Progesterone Levels in Feces of Captive Reticulated Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata)
Fresh fecal samples were collected from seven adult female reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata). Samples were collected for several weeks before, during, and for a few weeks after gestation. Fecal samples were analyzed for progesterone levels by radioimmunoassay. There were significant differences in progesterone levels between pregestational and gestational samples and between gestational and postgestational […]
Corneal Trauma in a Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)
An abstract on the discovery and management of a corneal ulcer in a giraffe neonate.
Behavioral Development in Okapis and Giraffes
Observations on the behavioral development of two okapi calves and one giraffe calf were made at Brookfield Zoo. The following behaviors were monitored for 4 to 6 mo after birth: nursing duration and nursing attempts, mother-infant distance, bunting the mother’s udder, lying, moving, maternal grooming, mother and infant autogrooming, object licking, tail chewing, and contact […]
Serum progesterone levels in captive giraffe
Serum progesterone values for giraffe had not been previously published in literature. In this abstract reference ranges are given based off serum progesterone values obtained from a 10 year old captive female giraffe.
Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) Arthropathy: Post-mortem computed tomogrpahy, gross pathology and histopathologic findings
An abstract on post-mortem findings of a female giraffe with chronic intermittent lameness and tendonitis of the fetlock joint.
Case Report: Severe laminitis in multiple zoo species
A 10-year record review from a zoological institution in the western USA identified four cases of severe laminitis resulting in rotation and protrusion of the third phalanx through the sole. Laminitis is reported in a Masai giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi), a Sichuan takin (Budorcas taxicolor tibetana), a greater Malayan chevrotain (Tragulus napu) and a giant […]
The use of magnetic resonance imaging to better define hoof pathology in the reticulated giraffe (giraffa camelopardalis reticulata)
A 22-yr-old bull giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) with severely altered hoof conformation in both forelimbs was presented for necropsy following acute mortality. Due to multiple challenges that prevented safe immobilization, corrective hoof trimming procedures were never performed on this animal. To better define the extent of the damage of the soft tissue structures and bone […]