Gernot Redeker, [28 Nov 2023 at 11:20:49]: Good morning. How common is rabies in giraffe? Erik Verrynne, [28 Nov 2023 at 11:23:05]: In the rest of Southern Africa, not so common. But Ulf has diagnosed it in so many wild species in Namibia that it is definitely a DD. Roy Bengis, [28 Nov 2023 at 19:52:31]: Giraffe would appear to be unlikely rabies bite victims because of their periscopic vision, predator avoidance behaviour and very thick skins. I can only think that salivary transmission from browse utilised by infected kudu may be a source. Ulf Tubessing, [28 Nov 2023 at 19:58:10]: Hi Gernot. Just like rhinos, we don’t often test giraffe for rabies. I have seen 2 confirmed cases and with current high incidence of rabies in kudu and eland in Namibia, combined with a scarcity of browse (the animal was in poor condition). I would put rabies as No.1 differential diagnosis. Daniel Kriel, [02 Dec 2023 at 13:50:11]: Giraffes tend to chew bones (a typical pica). Sometimes these get stuck in their mouths without being visible from the outside. That can show similar symptoms. They eventually die because they can't swallow. Ulf Tubessing, [02 Dec 2023 at 14:24:32]: I have seen a case like that Daniel. The giraffe did not have a change of behaviour though. It still tried to get away when approached. Gernot do you have feedback on that giraffe? Daniel Kriel, [02 Dec 2023 at 17:19:28]: I once darted a wild giraffe cow that was hanging around a water point for a few days. She was drooling and unchewed leaves fell from her mouth. I was able to approach on foot easily. She took off into the thickets when the dart hit her. Unfortunately, she died by the time we found her. I removed an atlas bone of an eland from in between her molars. I assume she got very lethargic from dehydration and being unable to feed. I still think rabies is a possibility. Gernot Redeker, [02 Dec 2023 at 19:37:12]: Hi everyone. When I arrived, she was standing around a swimming pool. I could approach her up to 2m before she moved away. I could see that her pupils were completely mydriatic. We tried chasing her away and then realised that she could not see. I ended up shooting her. On post mortem examination, she showed dried bilateral blood streaming from her nostrils, brain oedema and haemorrhage. She was rabies negative. My conclusion: head trauma? 🤔 The question is? Do giraffe cows also head-butt each other? There was no external sign on the skin of trauma. Ryan Jeffrey, 2 Dec 2023 I have treated a young male giraffe that was punch drunk (he was seen fighting with another male on the reserve a few days earlier), walking in circles, blind, not eating or drinking. I injected him with cortisone by pole syringe and he recovered after 3 to 4 days. Ulf Tubessing, [07 Dec 2023 at 23:59:26]: Henry, she showed weakness with noticeable hind quarter ataxia, seemed pretty unfazed by close human approach, with hyper-salivation. We typically see wild animals losing fear of man, often actually approaching without signs of aggression and a relatively small percentage becoming aggressive (cats are a different story!). In rhino, I am aware of 2/8 cases becoming aggressive, but most are placid, show hindquarter weakness, BUT no salivation! Henry Labuschagne, [08 Dec 2023 at 00:54:18]: Thx Ulf. Rabies is always on my DD list In all cases with CNS symptoms . Hendrik Hansen, [08 Dec 2023 at 10:30:24]: Gernot, I would have CCN high up on DD list
