A Portable Fluid Administration System for Prolonged Intravenous Fluid Administration in Subadult and Adult White Rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum).

Abstract

While translocations of white rhinoceroses have become an important conservation tool, dehydration during long-distance transports has been identified as a welfare concern. Intravenous (iv) fluid administration might therefore be useful to mitigate dehydration; however, special requirements need to be met to make iv fluid administration suitable for large, wild rhinoceroses during transport. Requirements include a portable and robust system that is capable of delivering high flow rates, is easy to set up, and remains patent and operating for long periods of time while allowing the animals to freely stand or lay down in the transport crates. Due to the lack of suitable fluid administration systems, we developed a custom-made system consisting of 8 L drip bags, a three-part, 4.4-m-long, large bore and partially coiled administration set, and a robust, battery-operated infusion pump, which allowed us to successfully administer iv fluids at a maintenance rate of 1-2 mL/kg/h to eight rhinoceroses for 24 h during a mock transport. While iv fluid administration in transported rhinoceroses is time intensive and the large amount of drip bags required during lengthy transports might pose a limitation, the developed system may be useful for the long-distance transport of small groups of rhinoceroses. Furthermore, this system would be of value for injured or sick rhinoceroses, which require parenteral fluid therapy when commercially available infusion pumps cannot provide the large fluid volumes needed.