Food and calculated energy intake in captive giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) in the UK
Due to the high prevalence of pathological indications of energy malnutrition in captive giraffe (Clauss et al. 2006), the provision of dietary energy to these animals, and more importantly, the actual intake of the food items offered, is of great interest in giraffe husbandry. This poster abstract reports results of intake measurements in captive giraffes […]
Frothy bloat and serous fat atrophy associated with insufficient fibre intake in a giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)
Malnutrition is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in captive giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis). Frothy bloat, a nutrition-related disease of domestic ruminants, has not previously been reported in Giraffidae. A 10-year-old female reticulated giraffe (G. c. reticulata) had a chronic cough and died in February 2007 following a two-month period of weight loss. Multiple nutrition-related […]
Dental Disease and Serous Atrophy of Fat Syndrome in Captive Giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis)
A condition characterized by serous atrophy of fat (SAF) has been reported as leading to peracute mortality in a number of giraffes at several institutions during the last 3 decades. These mortalities were originally attributed to insufficient protein and high fiber diets but were also associated with stress, other nutritional imbalances, and infectious and toxic […]