Successful Management of Recurrent Eosinophilic Granuloma with Steroids and Antihistamines in a Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis)
Greg T. Bishop1, BS; Jeffery R. Zuba2, DVM; Jane Hopper3, MA, VetMB, CertZooMed, MRCVS; Allan P. Pessier4, DVM, DACVP; Rodney A.W. Rosychuk5, DVM, DACVD; Gloria Kendall2, AA; K. Gary Magdesian6, DVM, DACVIM, DACVECC, DACVCP
1School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA; 2San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Escondido, CA, USA; 3Aspinall Foundation, Port Lympne Wild Animal Park, Lympne, Kent, UK; 4Wildlife Disease Labs, San Diego Zoo, Institute for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Global, San Diego, CA, USA; 5College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA; 6Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
Abstract
Skin diseases of the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis), including eosinophilic granuloma (EG), are well reported.2,3 A 7-yr-old male captive-born male black rhinoceros presented with a hemorrhagic lesion on the mucosal surface of the upper lip. Histologic evaluation confirmed an EG with mixed cellular infiltrates and hyperplastic epithelium. Over the next 4 yr, the animal was anesthetized 14 times to treat nine episodes of EG, affecting the mucosa of the nasal and oral cavities, as well as, the skin of the prepuce. Symptomatic treatment consisted of cryotherapy, intralesional triamcinolone, or topical antimicrobial/steroid ointment, however, lesions continued to recur. Due to unrewarding results, significant behavioral changes, and the risks associated with repeated anesthesia, medical treatment was initiated using a tapering 12-day dose of oral corticosteroids (dexamethasone; initial 0.1 mg/kg p.o., q 24 h x 3 days, then 0.075 mg/kg p.o., q 24 h x 3 days, then 0.05 mg/kg p.o., q 24 h x 3 days, then 0.025 mg/kg p.o., q 24 h x 3 days). The lesions dramatically improved within 1–2 days and completely resolved within one week, but would recur soon after treatment was discontinued. Continuous oral antihistamines (hydroxyzine pamoate; 1 mg/kg p.o., q 12 h) were then provided as an immune modulator due to reported association between insect bite hypersensitivity and EG in horses.1 Treating medically with steroids and antihistamines has minimized anesthetic events and greatly reduced the incidence and severity of the lesions. An allergic etiology is suspected based upon the positive response to antihistamines.
Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the veterinary and animal care staff of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
Literature Cited
1. Mathison, P.T. 1995. Eosinophilic nodular dermatoses. Vet. Clin. North Am. Equine Pract. 11(1):75–89.
2. Munson, L., and R.E. Miller. 1999. Skin Diseases of Black Rhinoceroses. In: Fowler, M.E., and R.E. Miller (eds.). Zoo & Wild Animal Medicine, 4th ed. W. B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 551–561.
3. Pessier, A.P., L. Munson, and R.E. Miller. 2004. Oral, nasal, and cutaneous eosinophilic granulomas in the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis): a lesion distinct from superficial necrolytic dermatitis. J. Zoo Wildl. Med. 35: 1–7.