Elephants Elephants - Wildpro - Twycross Zoo

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• Loss of weight/reduction in weight gain or growth rate.
• Changes in respiratory depth & pattern.
• Respiratory discharges – from trunk.
• Temperature of 38oC or more.
• Hyperaemia of mucous membranes (eye, mouth, vulva).
• Signs of pain - including groaning, biting tip of trunk, abnormal
postures.
• Non-specific colic signs – as for a horse.
• Dependant oedema.
• Neurological signs such as shaking, loss of balance etc.
• Localised trauma – especially tusks.
• Epiphora – excessive lacrimation of the eye. Caused by pain and could
be related to infections and/or a foreign body.
• Blepharospasm – spasm of the eyelids resulting in the eyes being
closed. Caused by pain and could be related to infections and/or a
foreign body.
When making a clinical examination of an elephant it is important to realise
the importance of blood sampling. For example, as skin turgor is not easy to
assess, hydration is generally measured by reference to the PCV.
Consequently, it is of enormous value that elephants are trained to accept
sampling (and examination) without sedation, whatever the handling system.
It is also crucial that elephant keepers keep accurate records; it is not easy for a
veterinarian to assess changes in appetite, water-intake etc. when normal
yardsticks are not available.
Staff Health
It is strongly suggested that elephant keeping staff keep up to date with
tetanus vaccination and that they undergo an annual test for tuberculosis. It
goes without saying that all animal keeping staff should adopt the highest
standards of personal hygiene for their own protection and that of their
charges.
Surgery
The scope of routine surgical procedures for the elephant is very limited. It is
difficult to keep surgical incisions clean and wound healing is generally poor
with considerable post-operative swelling and oedema. Superficial surgery
often heals by granulation. For a review of surgical procedures in elephants,
see (Mikota et al 1994Chapter 11).
Vaccination
Elephants should be vaccinated against tetanus annually. Vaccines against
other diseases should be given as local conditions dictate. Little scientifically
based information is available as to vaccine dose and frequency necessary to
provide adequate protection in the elephant, but in general terms vaccines
should be given at 2-3 times the recommended dose for adult cattle and horses
(Schmidt, 1986). Anaphylaxis following vaccine administration is possible, so