Failure of Passive Transfer and Leukopenia in five Reticulated giraffe calves (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata)
An abstract on the diagnosis and treatment of five giraffe calves that each had failure of passive transfer.
Insufficient Colostrum Ingestion is a Risk Factor for Polyarthritis and/or Phlegmon in Hand-Reared Reticulated Giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata): 7 Cases (2003–2012)
Seven reticulated giraffes were hand-reared at Nogeyama Zoological Gardens, because the dam had agalactia. Six of the 7 calves exhibited polyarthritis and/or phlegmon in the lower legs. However, the cause of the disorder was unclear. The present study reviewed the clinical records of the 7 giraffes, including the type and amount of colostrum ingested during […]
Addressing the Nuances of Neonatal Giraffe
Veterinary care of neonatal giraffe poses many unique challenges. Preparation typically requires time consuming investigation and discussion. The goal of this presentation is to summarize these issues and offer a reference for potential solutions and planning, based on previous literature and unpublished experience of zoo professionals.
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 […]
Corneal Trauma in a Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)
An abstract on the discovery and management of a corneal ulcer in a giraffe neonate.
Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase as a prognostic indicator of neonatal viability in nondomestic ruminants
Rapid assessment of immune status in neonatal ruminants of endangered species facilitates early intervention in cases of inadequate passive transfer of maternal immunoglobulins. Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) was used to evaluate suspected passive transfer status in 25 North Indian muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak vaginalis), 45 Cretan goats (Capra algagrus cretica), 20 white-lipped deer (Cervus albirostris), 25 Mhorr […]
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 […]