Hugo Pereira, [09 Jan 2024 at 09:32:56]: Hello all! Wish you a happy new year, and I would like to pick your brains I have a wild cheetah with a bad tick infestation. I'm thinking about immobilising and use topical products to remove the majority of the ticks (any recommendations?) I'm also thinking about using ivermectin. Not sure if it's worth giving any antibiotics Has anyone had any similar cases? Thank you Bart Gazendam, [09 Jan 2024 at 15:45:04]: Hi Hugo! If there’s a severe tick burden there might be an underlying problem so I would be very cautious immobilising it. Perhaps dip darting it would be a better option (maybe with a fipronil dart from Motsumi Darts, David Pretorius might be able to give you advice on that). We have had a bit of a discussion on ivermectin and Dectomax in darts in the past, you can hopefully find that on the website. If infections are suspected perhaps also a drop-out dart with antibiotics would be needed, but you need good indication and some kind of idea what’s wrong before you do that I would say! Hugo Pereira, [09 Jan 2024 at 16:08:18]: Thank you for the advice!🙏 David Pretorius, [09 Jan 2024 at 16:55:03]: Hi Hugo, Willem Burger has used some on cheetah. So maybe pick his brain as well. We can make up any volume you may need but it comes down to 1cc per 100kg, so my suggestion would be to gauge the weight and let me know what you need It is a topical application. We can also remove the spring so that you can use almost as little as 1 bar out of a dartgun and it will still detonate. The effects last between 2-6 weeks. There also may be another option to use it in feed. We have tried it with a variety of antelope and even in cattle with excellent results. The dosage rate is at 1mg per kg. Hugo Pereira, [10 Jan 2024 at 06:37:29]: Thank you for the reply, David Unfortunately, she's not in a holding facility, so I'll have to manage it while she's free roaming. I've decided to immobilise (although I know the risks) and treat with Spot On, and also remove ticks and treat the wounds I'll let you know how it turns out Thank you all for your great insights 🙏 Peter Caldwell, [10 Jan 2024 at 06:42:27]: Hi Hugo. It depends on age and size of cheetah. I would definitely immobilise and initially treat topically with accuracy. At the same time take blood for FBC and full chemistry. If possible place in a boma to monitor. I would apply Fipronil from Vetscripts or Fiprotec dog preparation one 20 - 40kg vial. You can use Dectomax at 1ml/20kg sc which will cover limited tick species but target subcutaneous parasites. If you put it in boma to monitor, you can use Credelio 6mg/kg orally, but be accurate on weight. If you use oral Credelio then it is vital NOT to inject the Dectomax. You are welcome to phone me for more detail. Hugo Pereira, [10 Jan 2024 at 09:09:43]: Thank you for the advice Dr Usman, [11 Jan 2024 at 06:00:32]: Thank you so much Is Fipronil is safe for big cats and cheetahs? I experienced severe seizures after topical fipronil spray (even just two puffs on body). Does anyone have experience of Asian black bear neutering and spaying, can I get literature/ pics / videos? Especially in jackal's Adrian Tordiffe, [11 Jan 2024 at 06:09:26]: Yes, fipronil is generally safe for all big cats. Use the spot-on at the same per kg BW dose as for domestic dogs Hugo Pereira [21 Jan 2024 at 08:58:05]: Hi all! Just debriefing about this cheetah I ended up darting her and found out she had a deep cut on her lumbar area (maybe attacked by a lion/baboon or injury from hunting). I treated the wound and removed all ticks manually. Gave her antibiotics and dexamethasone It seems like cheetah become very susceptible to ticks when they get compromised. It's the 3rd time I see it I've been in comms with the monitoring team, and she is doing better. Thank you all for the great inputs. It helped me develop protocols and gather relevant drugs for a next treatment, if/when needed Henry Labuschagne, [21 Jan 2024 at 11:06:03]: Hugo thank you for feedback. I am glad she is feeling better. I always give them a Kyroligo (Vitamin and mineral) injection on top of other medications. Stay safe. Excede is a good option for long acting antibiotic in cases with wounds. Convenia is first price but costly. Andreas Gaugler, [21 Jan 2024 at 13:47:43]: Henry do you use Excede also at 1 ml per 30 kg ? Subcut or im? Henry Labuschagne, [21 Jan 2024 at 15:22:19]: Dries. Yes @1ml per 30kg im. Gives 4 days cephalosporin cover . In cattle it is used sc and gives longer cover. Andreas Gaugler, [21 Jan 2024 at 15:29:33]: Thx Henry Hugo Pereira [22 Jan 2024 at 11:52:41]: I gave her Catosal as well.
