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Hyrax Tusky: Case Study

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Patient: A 20 year old, 7.7# (3.5 kg), intact female Rock Hyrax “Tusky”. She was brought to the attention of the Animal Health Care staff of the Kansas City Zoo by her keepers when they noticed Tusky had be isolating herself from the others and not eating as well as she had in the past. “Tusky” presented with behavioral abnormalities and a persistent weight loss since the beginning of March 2015, by June, she had lost 600 grams.
Upon the initial look at the Hyrax, she did not seem to care if we were there. Contrary to the normal Hyrax behavior, “Tusky” made no efforts to runs away and hide, and allowed the keepers to catch her up and restrain her for her exam. Once caught up, she was given an exam and nothing seemed physically out of place. Fluids and antibiotics were given and blood was drawn for a glucose reading because these animals are prone to diabetes because of the fruit and vegetables they are given. Blood was also to be sent out to Antech for a complete blood count (CBC), and blood chemistry.
The tests came back and nothing seemed to stick out. Her glucose level was slightly elevated but not enough to cause the lethargia and inappetence she was exhibiting. Dr. Brian Stockinger told the keepers to keep an eye on her and watch for developing signs or signs of improvement. A few days later, the keepers had noted in the reports that she has …show more content…

Her recovery began at 1:00 pm. She was extubated, and was placed in a crate with a heating pad underneath the crate to keep her warm. She began to move around and vocalize within 15 minutes. She was given 0.14 ml SQ Meloxicam (5 mg/mL 0.2 mg/Kg) for pain control, and 0.25 mL SQ Combi-Pen as an antibiotic, because the body cavity and intestines were exposed and opened. She was to be given 0.2 ml BO-SE, which is an injectable combination of vitamin E and selenium, and ivermectin if she did not go well or if the blockage was a mass of

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