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Total Parenteral Nutrition in a Premature Rhinoceros Calf
Author(s) -
Herrmann Virginia M.,
Miller R. Eric
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
nutrition in clinical practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.725
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1941-2452
pISSN - 0884-5336
DOI - 10.1177/0115426591006005193
Subject(s) - medicine , parenteral nutrition , rhinoceros , hypoglycemia , enteral administration , sepsis , gestation , surgery , pregnancy , anesthesia , insulin , paleontology , genetics , biology
A female black rhinoceros calf developed significant hypoglycemia (blood glucose, 30 mg/dL) and hypothermia (97°F) within 48 hours of birth and refused to nurse. Normal gestation of the black rhinoceros is 15 months, but elongated hoof slippers and low birth weight (30 kg) suggested prematurity in this calf. Clinical symptoms of neonatal sepsis including lassitude and poor sucking continued in spite of the aggressive use of antibiotics, and the calf required mechanical ventilatory support on day 7. Nutritional support including enteral gavage feedings (Pedialyte/4 ounces of SMA [Wyeth Ayerst] with sucraflox) had been instituted and was supplemented with total parenteral nutrition on day 5. Central venous access was obtained via a jugular cutdown. The total parenteral nutrition included appropriate electrolytes and vitamins for the neonatal calf but did not include trace elements. The use of total parenteral nutrition by our zoos for therapeutic purposes is increasing. Experience with total parenteral nutrition in exotic animals such as the black rhinoceros is limited, yet this may be an important therapeutic modality in these animals, particularly those in danger of extinction.