Source: Citizen
Houdini, a four-year-old white rhino, is breathing freely again after undergoing a groundbreaking six-hour surgery at Onderstepoort to remove a nasal obstruction caused by a previous poaching injury. Years after surviving a gunshot wound to the nose, Houdini began struggling to breathe through one nostril. Veterinarian Dr. Pierre Bester discovered tissue completely blocking the nasal passage, a critical issue since rhinos can only breathe through their noses.
A team of specialists, including anaesthesiologist Dr. Abdur Kadwa, carefully prepared Houdini for surgery, balancing anaesthetic risks posed by his massive weight. The team performed a delicate rhinotomy without access to matched donor blood, instead using haemodilution—a technique that replaces blood with fluids and reuses the patient’s own blood if needed. The innovative procedure, the first of its kind, not only saved Houdini’s life but also marked a major milestone in wildlife medicine. He is now recovering well, with a greatly improved quality of life.