Medical and surgical management of otitis in captive bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus)

J Zoo Wildl Med. 2009 Jun;40(2):332-43. doi: 10.1638/2008-0092.1.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Zoo
  • Antelopes*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Debridement / veterinary*
  • Ear, Middle / pathology
  • Ear, Middle / surgery
  • Female
  • Florida
  • Labyrinthitis / drug therapy
  • Labyrinthitis / surgery
  • Labyrinthitis / veterinary*
  • Male
  • Osteotomy / veterinary*
  • Otitis Media, Suppurative / drug therapy
  • Otitis Media, Suppurative / surgery
  • Otitis Media, Suppurative / veterinary*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents