Vaccination and parasite control in wild animals and their general treatment

Cutaneous filariasis in black rhinos deserves special mention as this condition has been found very difficult to cure. The daily superficial application of the following combination of drugs can be recommended: Iodoform 10%, sulfanilamide 10%, B.H.C. (formulation Multibenhex) 10%, zinc oxide 20% and Stockholm tar 50%. About 10% of the zinc oxide may be replaced by copper sulphate for the initial removal of excessive granulation tissue. Lesions usually heal within one week following treatment. Alternatively the lesions may also be treated with the ?Onderstepoort Blowfly Remedy' which contains 65% alcohol (96%), 32,35% benzol, 2,5% cresol (98%) and 0.15% sulphuric acid (conc. comm.). Local treatment, however. seems to produce only a temporary cure and the use of systemic parasiticides may produce more durable results.