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Elephants Elephants - Wildpro - Twycross Zoo

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observation for an hour after vaccination and having adrenaline available are<br />

wise precautions.<br />

Diseases against which vaccination may be appropriate include:<br />

• Anthrax.<br />

• Clostridial disease.<br />

• Tetanus.<br />

• Pasteurellosis.<br />

• Pox.<br />

• Rabies.<br />

• Salmonellosis.<br />

<strong>Zoo</strong>noses<br />

Significant zoonotic infections that may originate from elephants include:<br />

• Cowpox.<br />

• Salmonellosis.<br />

• Rabies.<br />

• Tuberculosis (although transmission from man to elephant is far more<br />

likely).<br />

• Anthrax.<br />

3.16.2 Common Medical and Surgical Conditions of the Elephant<br />

Bacterial Disease<br />

Significant bacterial infections that can affect elephants include the following:<br />

Anthrax. Not generally a problem in zoos, but in areas of the world where<br />

anthrax is endemic (including Africa and Asia) captive working elephants are<br />

routinely vaccinated.<br />

Blackleg. Caused by Clostridium septicum. Vaccination is appropriate where a<br />

particular problem occurs.<br />

Botulism.<br />

Colibacillosis. Especially in the newborn and young. A lack of colostrum<br />

may be predisposing in juveniles.<br />

Enterotoxaemia. Young elephants are especially susceptible to clostridial<br />

enterotoxaemia. Where a problem exists in a facility, vaccination may need to<br />

be considered.<br />

Pasteurellosis. Also known as haemorrhagic septicaemia. Systemic<br />

pasteurellosis can cause an extremely acute and rapidly fatal septicaemia with<br />

signs similar to anthrax. Vaccination is a possibility for collections<br />

experiencing problems with this pathogen<br />

Salmonellosis. This is a common and often fatal infection in elephants.<br />

Symptoms often include a profuse diarrhoea, dysentery, weakness, fever etc.<br />

Other animals may present with far more vague symptoms; lethargy,<br />

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