[2022/02/13, 11:20:34] Ryan Jeffery: Morning all. What could cause a rhino to die of supposed natural causes? No signs noticed that he was ill. Died in a sleeping position. [2022/02/13, 11:20:35] Ryan Jeffery: Owner doesn't want him cut up for post mortem examination - too sentimental. The animal is about a 20 year old bull. [2022/02/13, 11:23:22] Douw Grobler: Only way is a PM examination [2022/02/13, 11:37:04] Marius: Tell the owner you're a veterinarian, not a sorcerer. Although it is a daily demand from our clients to be just that. [2022/02/13, 11:56:24] Erik Verrynne: Ryan. That owner does not want a diagnosis. He wants reassurance that it is not something he did wrong. Rather handle it as such than being too clinical about it. [2022/02/13, 12:06:58] Ryan Jeffery: Spot on Erik. He just wants me to confirm it wasn’t a malicious cause of death and then was happy to bury him. I was just asking what diagnosis colleagues have made in similar cases. It was a very per-acute death, no bloating (sponssiekte / Cl. chauvoei) of any of the muscles yet. No nasal foam, no signs of distress – it died in sternal sleeping position. I can kick myself for not at least taking a blood smear🙈 [2022/02/13, 12:11:45] Erik Verrynne: Don’t beat yourself up about it. Many of these sudden deaths end up undiagnosed because when we get to it, it’s too late. [2022/02/13, 12:28:41] Alex Lewis: Some suggestions : Where in country? Free on big farm? Recent electrical storm? Body condition? Herd structure? How is dung? Mucous membrane colour? Picture of bottom of feet? Horny growth on hump/neck? Urine smell? Etc. There are tons of non-specific post-mortal information that can give clues. Plaakjies will cause death like this. Lighting can also play a role, and often with no external signs Botulism at high doses can also do this. [2022/02/13, 12:56:28] Ryan Jeffery: Faeces normal No rain/ lightning yesterday 500 ha farm Only 1 cow and 1 bull Bottom of feet normal Mucous membranes show only mild cyanosis There is loads of good quality grass on farm, in the Derby area.. [2022/02/13, 12:58:26] Chuma: Just thinking from another angle, any possibility of a deadly snake bite?? [2022/02/13, 13:07:17] Ockert Botha: Do rhinos get cardiomyopathy? In dogs, you get a typical acute death. [2022/02/13, 13:08:30] Ockert Botha: Normally a great no PM, no answer diagnosis, because people understand it. He died from a possible heart attack [2022/02/13, 13:15:32] Alex Lewis: Horny growth of skin on hump? This gets long if the animal is not rolling and scrubbing skin regularly, often in animals with chronic underlying issues. [2022/02/13, 13:18:56] Ryan Jeffery: Body condition good and no horny growth, thanks Alex [2022/02/13, 13:39:30] [2022/02/13, 13:52:50] Ulf Tubessing: What about Clostridium sp. infection? [2022/02/13, 13:59:57] Pierre Nel: There are usually some paddle marks made before death if associated with Clostridium infection. [2022/02/13, 14:13:51] Mathew Mutinda Ndunda: 👍🏾 Clostridial enterotoxaemia [2022/02/13, 18:09:16] Michelle Otto: Thee are not always paddle marks present.
