Dystocia in a Rothschild Giraffe at the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife , Nairobi , Kenya

A 15-year old female Rothschild Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi) weighing approximately 800kg, at the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW), Giraffe Center, Langata, Nairobi, Kenya was presented with dystocia in June 2010. This giraffe named Laura, had a protracted labor and was regularly monitored by sanctuary education rd staff. Dystocia was relieved on the 3 day at this wildlife sanctuary. The giraffe was chemically immobilized by using ® 7mg of Etorphine Hcl (0.98%) (M99 ) (Norvatis South Africa (Pty) Limited) and 50mg of Azaperone(10%) (Kyron Laboratories (Pty) Limited, South Africa) in a Dan-Inject dart (Dan-inject APS, Sellerup Skowej, Denmark). On obstetrical examination of the giraffe, a fetal malposition type of dystocia had occurred. The fetus was positioned at posterior presentation extended posture with tail butting on the maternal pelvis, which is abnormal in giraffes. The fetus was manually extracted by using both alternate and simultaneous limb traction. The dam survived the procedure and later was reported to be in a good reproductive condition but the male fetus was a stillbirth. The fetus had died due to stress of prolonged labour. Relief of dystocia in giraffes is a difficult obstetrical procedure because obstetrical examination and relief requires chemical immobilization plus physical restrain with ropes by trained staff. Anesthesia or immobilization of giraffes remains a challenge because of the giraffe's unique anatomy and physiology. Giraffes are large animals which limits physical control and manipulation at critical times during induction and recovery of anesthesia. Giraffe's long neck if not pinned to the ground will act as a lever causing fatal injuries to self and support staff. Giraffes develop elevated systolic blood pressure; have a small respiratory tidal volume with a large dead space and relatively small cardiac output during anesthesia, which compromises safe levels of anesthesia.


Introduction
inherent anesthetic risk due to giraffe's anatomy and physiology further complicates management of The African Fund for Endangered Wildlife dystocia in the species.Dystocia in giraffes has been (AFEW), Giraffe Center, Nairobi manages a herd of documented previously by some authors ( 1984).Survival of the mother giraffe after caesarian (IUCN) red list of threatened species (Fennessy and operation and a dead fetus has also been reported by Brennema 2010).The giraffes roam freely in a 100 Williams et al. (2007).Relief of dystocia in a zoo acre fenced wildlife sanctuary in the suburban area of facility by zoo staff using rope snares when a dam was Nairobi.This herd of giraffe is sometimes fed with under no anesthesia has been reported by Hwan-Yul supplements and is habituated to visitors who Yong et al., (2009).occasionally try to feed them by hand.On the contrary Relief of dystocia in a giraffe kept in a wildlife these giraffes remain wild and aggressive and can kick sanctuary by manipulation and traction under anesthesia if sloppily approached.
Successful management of dystocia in giraffes with favorable outcome has not been reported.A with survival of the mother and the baby giraffe is a single case of the same has been successfully handled rare occurrence.Lack of a standard facility and equipment by Kenya Wildlife Service staff at Soysambu ranch, for a cesarean section in the field conditions and Nakuru (Gakuya 2003).

Materials and methods
posterior presentation with an extended posture.The tail was also butting on the pelvic brim (figure 1 and th Case clinical progression: On 25 June 2010 a 15-2).Type of dystocia was a fetal malposition(fetal year old giraffe named Laura, from this sanctuary was malpresentation) -a posterior presentation with an reported to have shown signs of labour with no fetal extended posture.membranes or parts seen.Blood tinged exudates were The fetus was retro-pulsed and realigned.Fetal sighted on the ventral commisure of the vulva.She skin was sloughing off.Manual extraction and was straining, had decreased appetite and looked manipulation of the fetus with the aid of ropes and restless, anxious and isolated herself from the herd.On nd liberal lubrication using liquid paraffin was carried out the 2 day fetal membranes about 30cm long and fetal th (figure 3 and 4).Fetal membranes were removed legs were seen hanging from the vulva.On 28 June manually and Betamox ® LA (Amoxicillin 15000mg) 2010 there was no further progress and a decision was (Norbrook laboratories Ltd) administered intramusmade to restrain the animal for obstetric examination cularly.Samples were taken including placental and management.
caruncles for Brucella culture.2007) has observed that if physical restraint of a intravenously and 50mg of 5% Naltrexone (Kyron giraffe is possible thus allowing for obstetrical Laboratories (Pty) Limited) injected intramuscularly examination to be carried out safely, then it is to prevent re-narcotization.

Obstetrical examination and case management:
preferable to intervene sooner than later.Nevertheless if an examination is only possible through the use of Obstetrical examination revealed dead fetus on mainly due to the typically long legged build and 1.
Their large size limits physical control during elongated neck of the species.Posterior presentation critical times of induction and recovery, and must therefore be considered as abnormal in a giraffe.limits manipulation once the animal is down.
Prolonged labour may have resulted in fetal death and 2.
Their characteristic long neck, which if not exhaustion of the dam.To rule out any infection a controlled, acts as a lever arm creating danger to sample of fetal membranes containing caruncles was itself or the support staff.Solounias (1999) has collected for culture.proposed that the giraffe has actually eight The procedure took 20 minutes and the animal cervical vertebrae contrary to the popular was successfully revived with good prognosis for observation that all mammals have 7 cervical survival and future breeding.This in our opinion vertebrae.Mal-positioned neck leads to air way contributed much to the favorable outcome.Our obstruction which is fatal.Burroughs Restraint: The giraffe was darted using 7mg of ® 0.98% Etorphine Hcl (M99 ) (Norvatis South Africa Discussion (Pty) Limited) and 50mg of 10% Azaperone Hcl Wildlife clinical interventions are guided by (Kyron Laboratories (Pty) Limited, South Africa) in a sound principles governed by animal welfare and Dan-Inject dart (Dan-inject APS, Sellerup Skowej, safety to staff.The right time to intervene in a dystocia Denmark) on the shoulder muscles.The animal was case in relation to safety of the dam, baby giraffe and darted on foot.Induction time was 10 minutes.During not the least staff, is critical in achieving a favorable induction to down time, the animal ran into the bushes outcome.Citino et al. (1984) has recommended that which posed a great challenge.Anesthesia was obstetrical examination be carried out after two hours partially reversed immediately with 21mg of 1.2% of active parturition without noticeable signs of Diprenorphine Hcl (Norvatis South Africa (Pty) progress.Dagg and Foster (1982) supported this and Limited) given ¼ of the dose intravenously in the stated that a giraffe calving should last between one jugular vein and restrained physically using ropes.A and two hours.On the contrary Kristall and Noonan blindfold was used to minimize stress, Opticlox® eye (1979) reported a parturition lasting approximately 15 ointment (Norbrook laboratories Ltd) applied on the hours, with no fetal protrusion shown during the first both eyes to prevent corneal drying and laceration.14 hours but a healthy calf being born uneventfully.Clearing of the bushes was quickly carried out to The practicability of intervention is dependent on the facilitate access and handling of the giraffe.Complete facilities available and other factors need to be reversal of anesthesia was achieved by using the considered (Williams et al., 2007).Williams et balance of 15mg Diprenorphine administered al.(

Figure- 3 : 4 :
Figure-3: Manipulation of fetus with liberal lubrication Figure-4: Traction using ropes Ebedes, Rothschild giraffes which are categorized as endangered 1975, Citino et al., 1984, Goslawki and Kolodziejska in the International Union for Conservation of Nature