Protozoan and bacterial pathogens in tick salivary glands in wild and domestic animal environments in South Africa
A total of 7364 ticks belonging to 13 species was collected from 64 game animals (belonging to 11 species) and from 64 livestock animals (cattle and sheep) living in close vicinity at 6 localities in 3 South African Provinces (Free State, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo). The geographic distribution of all tick species was congruent with the […]
Analysis of Nutrient Concentrations in the Diet, Serum, and Urine of Giraffe from Surveyed North American Zoological Institutions
The objectives of the present research were to conduct a survey to investigate the health history and feeding practices of giraffe in captivity in North America and to obtain samples of hay, concentrate, browse, urine, and serum to compare across zoos, possible factors relating to the development of urolithiasis. Forty-one out of 98 institutions contacted […]
Use of Thiafentanil (A3080), Medetomidine, and Ketamine for anesthesia of captive and free-ranging giraffe (giraffa Camelopardalis)
Giraffe anesthesia remains a major challenge due to their unique anatomy and physiology, which predisposes them to life-threatening, anesthesia-related complications. Historical verbal and published reports describe the use of several drugs and drug combinations for giraffe anesthesia. The most widely used anesthetic regimens have involved use of opioids alone or in combination with sedatives (e.g., […]
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency-like syndrome in giraffe
Studies were conducted on four giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) with diarrhea and three clinically healthy ones. The feces from both healthy and sick animals were examined to determine amylase, lipase and trypsin activity. In the feces of the giraffe with diarrhea a significant decrease of amylase and lipase activity was noted. The trypsin activity remained unchanged. […]
Arthroscopic surgery in a reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata)
An 8-month-old captive male reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) developed an acute lameness (grade IV/V) of the right forelimb, with swelling of the metacarpophalangeal joint. A traumatic injury was suspected based on clinical, radiographic, and arthroscopic evaluation. Several abnormalities were identified arthroscopically, including synovitis, cartilage damage, and an osteochondral fragment. Medial collateral ligament damage was […]
Detection and characterisation of papillomavirus in skin lesions of giraffe and sable antelope in South Africa
Papillomavirus was detected electron microscopically in cutaneous fibropapillomas of a giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) and a sable antelope (Hippotragus niger). The virus particles measured 45 nm in diameter. Histopathologically, the lesions showed histopathological features similar to those of equine sarcoid as well as positive immunoperoxidase-staining of tissue sections for papillomavirus antigen. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detected […]
A 12-month survey of the gastro-intestinal helminths of antelopes, gazelles and giraffids kept at two zoos in Belgium
Faecal egg count patterns and clinical signs associated with gastro-intestinal (GI) nematodes of 107 zoo ruminants were monitored at fortnightly intervals for 1 year. The ruminants in this study were kept under different husbandry conditions at two sites of the Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, the Antwerp Zoo and the Animal Park Planckendael. Artiodactylids involved […]
Redescription of Monodontella giraffae Yorke et Maplestone, 1926 (Nematoda, Ancylostomatidae) from a giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis, from Zoo in China, with a discussion on the taxonomic status of Monodontella
Monodontella giraffae Yorke et Maplestone, 1926 was collected from the biliary duct of liver of a dead giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis (Linnaeus) from the Tianjin Zoo, Tianjin, China. A redescription of this species was made using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The lateral alae and the detailed structures of the spicules and genital cone […]
Diagnosis and treatment of a fractured third phalanx in a Masai giraffe (Giraffe camelopardalis tippelskirchi)
A 10 yr old male Masai giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi) presented with acute right forelimb lameness. Radiographs revealed a fracture of the medial claw of the distal phalanx penetrating into the distal interphalangeal joint. The giraffe was sedated while it was standing in a chute, and a wooden “hoof block” was applied to the lateral […]
Anatomy of the Mouth of the Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi)
The giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) is both the largest extant ruminant and a strict browser. We dissect and describe the macroscopic anatomy of the mouth of the giraffe. The heads of two adult giraffes and one fetus were used in this study. The lips were well developed, the upper one was predominant and dorsally flattened near […]