Gernot Redeker, [24 Mar 2024 at 09:22:29]: Morning everyone. Does someone have a magical treatment plan for a downer rhino bull? It travelled from SA to Nam and was down in the crate on arrival. He cannot get onto his hind legs. My experience is a very poor prognosis. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. It is a 5 years old white rhino bull. Ulf Tubessing, [24 Mar 2024 at 09:26:53]: Gernot, the prognosis is indeed very bad. I would suggest slinging him from time to time, very thick soft bedding and, if at all possible moving legs (likely very stressful and not practical) Alex Lewis, [24 Mar 2024 at 09:28:17]: Did he receive any alpha-2 drugs during transport? Or anything long acting? Gernot Redeker, [24 Mar 2024 at 09:30:10]: I unfortunately do not have any information on how he was darted etc etc. I am on my way. Will get more information when I arrive there in about 2 hrs Ulf Tubessing, [24 Mar 2024 at 09:34:35]: Good point Alex. You could give Akineton just in case WBP being culprit, but in my experience he should be able to get up with WBP unless severe overdose or he was down for too long during transport. In the latter case, the prognosis is very poor Chris Perkins, [24 Mar 2024 at 09:46:43]: Dantrolene might be useful for exertional myopathy if you can get your hands on it. Leith Meyer, [24 Mar 2024 at 11:52:24 (24 Mar 2024 at 13:03:00)]: If the translocation took long, especially in this hot weather, there is a good chance he is dehydrated, in a negative energy balance and has muscle fatigue. IV fluids with dextrose/glucose (quick as possible to limit time immobilized) and a large bolus of water through a stomach tube deep in the rectum may help.
