Miller, R.E., 1994. Diseases of black rhinoceroses in captivity: pp. 180-185
 | In: Penzhorn, B.L. et al. Proceedings of a symposium on rhinos as game ranch animals. Onderstepoort, Republic of South Africa, 9-10 September 1994: pp. i-iv, 1-242 |
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Diseases |
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Black Rhino |
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Fungal Pneumonia. The author knows of at least nine cases of fungal pneumonia in black rhinoceroses - seven due to infection with Aspergillus species, three Phycomyces species (there was one dual infection). Four of the fungal infections occurred after corticosteroid therapy, three were associated with other chronic illnesses (two with end-stage lesions of the mucocutaneous syndrome), and two cases were ?spontaneous', i.e., no other illness or immunosuppressive factors were evident. Cases in animals on concurrent corticosteroid therapy occurred after even apparently low dose therapy (eg, 1 mg/kg for several days) and so extreme caution should be used whenever immunosuppressive drugs am used in this species. Fungal pneumonias are unusual in most mammalian species and when they occur, are most commonly associated with immuno-suppression. In the cases that occurred while undergoing corticosteroid therapy, it is not clear if those drugs aggravated preexisting immunosuppression, or if black rhinoceroses are particularly sensitive to the effects of this class of drugs. Studies to better characterize the immune status of black rhinoceroses are proposed in order to address this issue and to possibly identify a serological test for antemortem diagnosis.
At the present time, treatment is speculative. Prophylaxis has been attempted with thiabendazole and itraconizole. The latter was administered at the rate of 13 mg/kg with no signs of ill effects; however, at this time, the cost of this medication is prohibitive.
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Diseases of black rhinoceroses in captivity
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