A chronic hoof abcess in a 40 year old female Southern White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum)

Abstract

A 40 year old female, Southern White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) presented grade 5/5 lame with a chronically abscessed left hind limb lateral digit. For two years, she was treated medically while being conditioned to accept diagnostics and treatment. Radiographs of the left lateral digit revealed moderate-to-severe distal phalangeal osteomyelitis and questionable distal interphalangeal joint infectious arthritis. Pre-anesthetic blood work demonstrated a neutrophilic leukocytosis with toxic changes. Surgical treatment was attempted and the wound was left to heal by secondary intention. Post-operative Epson salts and chlorhexidine solution foot baths, oral enrofloxacin and phenylbutazone did not prevent the return of digital inflammation and lameness several weeks later. This case highlights the challenges of treating large, wild geriatric herbivores as well as deep hoof infections with osteomyelitis and distal interphalangeal joint (DIP) arthritis. Future treatments may include a second surgery, intravenous regional limb perfusion, tramadol, and habitat improvement.