Effective duration of a copper oxide bolus administered orally to bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus dorcas)

Citation

Schlegel M, Edwards M. 2007. Effective duration of a copper oxide bolus administered orally to bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus dorcas). In Ward A, Hunt A, Maslanka M, Eds. Proceedings of the Seventh Conference on Zoo and Wildlife Nutrition, AZA Nutrition Advisory Group, Knoxville, TN.

Abstract

Two male bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus dorcas) (70.5 kg) received a 12.5 g copper oxide bolus orally during anesthesia and were offered a diet of high fiber herbivore pellets with ad libitum access to Bermuda grass hay, water, and either a white salt or trace mineralized salt block. Blood samples were collected prior to bolus administration and every four weeks subsequently for one year. Serum was harvested and analyzed for calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc. A paired t-test was used to compare mineral concentrations determined on day 0 with concentrations on subsequent collection dates. Serum copper concentrations increased 28% within 30 days after bolus administration and remained above baseline (day zero) through the end of the study (day 364). Other minerals analyzed were transiently elevated and were not affected by the copper bolus. Serum zinc concentrations were below normal ruminant serum concentrations throughout the entire study. The copper oxide bolus increased serum copper within two months of administration and maintained elevated copper concentrations for a least 305 days.

Schlegel – DURATION OF A COPPER OXIDE BOLUS ADMINISTERED ORALLY TO BONTEBOK {DAMALISCUS PYGARGUS DORCAS).pdf     1 MB