CASE SERIES: CLINICAL SALMONELLOSIS IN FOUR BLACK RHINOCEROS (DICEROS BICORNIS) CALVES

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Wildlife Health
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Salmonella spp. infections are known in rhinoceros but clinical cases in black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) calves were previously undescribed.
• This study addresses the lack of documented clinical presentations of salmonellosis in this vulnerable species.

Observation:

• A case series detailing four black rhinoceros calves diagnosed with clinical salmonellosis.
• Clinical signs ranged from self-limiting diarrhea to severe, multi-organ system involvement, resulting in two fatalities.
• Diagnosis was confirmed via fecal culture and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).

Findings:

• The clinical presentation of salmonellosis in black rhinoceros calves was variable, mirroring patterns seen in domestic hoofstock.
• Postmortem pathology findings were consistent with those observed in neonatal ungulates suffering from salmonellosis.
• Potential predisposing factors included primiparous dams and failure of passive transfer in calves.
• Asymptomatic shedding of the causative Salmonella strain was identified in the dam and another conspecific in one case.

Implications:

• The findings underscore the potential for Salmonella spp. to cause significant morbidity and mortality in black rhinoceros calves.
• Identifying asymptomatic carriers is crucial for understanding disease transmission dynamics.
• Further surveillance of Salmonella spp. carrier status in captive rhinoceros populations is recommended to develop effective screening and management strategies.