Medical and surgical management of otitis in captive bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus).
Six cases of severe otitis media-interna, an uncommon problem in nondomestic ruminants, were diagnosed in five captive bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus). The cases were geographically clustered at zoological facilities in Florida. A visible ear droop, head shaking, and otic discharge were common at clinical presentation. Medical management with prolonged systemic and topical antimicrobial therapy, combined with repeated manual removal of debris from the otic canal, was successful in resolving two cases and effectively controlled a third case. Two bongo with severe otitis did not respond to medical management and required surgical intervention. A bulla osteotomy and total ear canal ablation were performed on these animals (bilaterally in one bongo). Surgery was successful in providing complete clinical resolution of the otitis and is recommended for severe cases that fail to respond to less invasive management.
Adkesson
Michael J
MJ
University of Illinois, Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, 1008 West Hazelwood Drive, Urbana, Illinois 61802, USA. michael.adkesson@czs.org
Citino
Scott B
SB
Dennis
Patricia M
PM
Fiorello
Christine V
CV
Lafortune
Maud
M
Bennett
R Avery
RA
D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D000866:Antelopes; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003646:Debridement / Q000662:veterinary*; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D007762:Labyrinthitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000662:veterinary*; D010035:Otitis Media, Suppurative / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents