Perth Zoo’s animal carers are continuing an important skin-health mission for our Southern White Rhino Memphis.
 
Over the past year, our carers have been closely monitoring Memphis’ skin to track some unusual lesions and even carrying out a special skincare and management routine to get him back on track.
 
This month, it was time to book Memphis in for an appointment with our friends from The Animal Dermatology Clinic.


 
Thanks to on-going positive training, Memphis had a light sedation, was walked into a secure crush, and fed all his favourite treats while vets performed an intradermal allergy test.
 
Pet owners may recognise the skin prick and patch test as the same one given to their itchy cats and dogs.   However, for a rhino, the test is undertaken behind the ear because it's the thinnest part of the skin! 
 
The testing involves carefully marking out the area and pricking a tiny amount of purified allergen extract into the skin.
 
The vet teams then watch to see whether the area starts to react and swell, which helps determine which environmental allergen the animal is reacting to.
 
Perth Zoo Veterinary Services Manager, Dr Rebecca Vaughan-Higgins, said this testing would help inform the next steps for Memphis’ targeted treatment.
 
“Rhinos have very thick, tough skin compared to other mammals, but even they can have reactions to different environmental triggers,” Dr Rebecca said.
 
“We have been working through a treatment plan for Memphis for some time to help soothe these lesions, with daily cleaning, flushing and medication.
 
“These test results will help us work on a very targeted medication and management plan.
 
“Initial test results show he’s sensitive to some grasses, and insects so we may also need to change things in his habitat to reduce exposure.
 
“Memphis’ keepers have a wonderful rapport with him and thanks to training programs, he will be able to have oral or topical medication administered fairly easily to help provide relief.”
 
Stay tuned for more!