Iman’s condi on s ll serious
Despite several a empts to coax Iman, the sickly Sumatran rhino, to move to the night stall for treatment, she con nued to remain inside the mud wallow at the paddock.
KOTA KINABALU: Despite several attempts to coax Iman, the sickly Sumatran rhino, to move to the night stall for treatment, she continued to remain inside the mud wallow at the paddock.
The wallow, apparently, is her comfort zone and she would charge at anyone who comes close.
According to the vets, every time she does that she would bleed profusely from the tumors inside her body. Her condition (bleeding from the tumors inside the uterus) is causing her pain and discomfort leading her to go off feed and water completely.
“While inside her wallow, only steroids were able to be dispensed over two consecutive days to reduce the inflammation, pain and discomfort, and it is hoped that further treatment can be dispensed later as she is severely dehydrated and pale looking,” they said.
On December 18, Iman was coaxed to move away from the wallow for a period to enable the wallow to be closed with black shade netting and sand bags. She was then led into the night stall.
“She continued to refuse food but took in lots of water mixed with vitamins and minerals. Rectal examination revealed severe constipation from not consuming water over the past four days. All her hard stools were removed.
“The bleeding was also severe, especially when she strained to defecate. She was then started on fluid therapy and intravenous supplements. She was also given antibiotics and non-steroid anti-inflammatory prescription intravenously. She began urinating a few hours later. The bleeding, however, remained obvious, especially when she strained to defecate or while lying down. She is being monitored continuously round the clock.
“She made some noise while in the night stall but did not consume the foliage hung inside the night stall.
“On December 19 morning, she remained quiet, drank less water and urinated once. No food was consumed. Blood is noted still oozing out from her vagina.
“Intravenous fluids and supplements (10 litres) in addition to antibiotics, anti inflammatory and some drugs were started to increase gut motility, with the application of retention enema. Another load of constipated fecal materials was also removed,” they said.
“Iman will continue to be given about 10 to 15 litres of intravenous fluids and supplements daily, and will be monitored throughout the day and night. Further rectal and ultrasound examination will be carried out while attempts will be made to encourage her to consume foliage and fruits.
“Her prognosis is grave as she continues to bleed daily and refuse to eat her normal food. Although we have managed to remove more of the constipated faeces there were still no signs of her consuming the food offered or hung up for her. We are unable to ascertain if she has compacted colon or caecum in which case it would further aggravate her grave prognosis,” the vets added.