Strangulating Intestinal Obstructions in Four Captive Elephants (Elephas maximusandLoxodonta africana)

Abstract

Three captive-born (5-day-old, 8-day-old, and 4-yr-old) Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) and one captive-born 22-yr-old African elephant (Loxodonta africana) from three private elephant facilities and one zoo in the United States presented with depression, anorexia, and tachycardia as well as gastrointestinal signs of disease including abdominal distention, decreased borborygmi, tenesmus, hematochezia, or diarrhea. All elephants showed some evidence of discomfort including agitation, vocalization, or postural changes. One animal had abnormal rectal findings. Nonmotile bowel loops were seen on transabdominal ultrasound in another case. Duration of signs ranged from 6 to 36 hr. All elephants received analgesics and were given oral or rectal fluids. Other treatments included warm-water enemas or walking. One elephant underwent exploratory celiotomy. Three animals died, and the elephant taken to surgery was euthanized prior to anesthetic recovery. At necropsy, all animals had severe, strangulating intestinal lesions.

Relationships between housing and management factors and clinical health events in elephants in North American zoos

“…According to Hatt and Clauss [68], the best prophylactic measure for avoiding colic is continuous stimulation of gut peristalsis through feeding high-fiber roughage and minimizing low-fiber foods such as fruits and concentrates. Although the majority of GI events in this study were resolved with or without treatment, since 2001 there have been at least 14 cases of mortality in North America as a result of GI blockage, impaction, damage or twisted gut (M. Miller, unpublished data ; [69]).…”

Proboscidea

“…70 However, cesarian sections done for the purpose of removing dead calves are no longer performed because no animal has survived the procedure and also, more remarkably, because several pregnant elephants at multiple institutions have kept dead, full-term calves in their uterus for years without becoming septic. In addition, the thickness and toughness of the skin make both opening and closing incisions extremely difficult.…”

“…70 Radiography of elephant feet may be performed by using either plain film or digital systems. Reproductive ultrasonography (discussed later) is used extensively in captive breeding programs to monitor pregnancy and assess reproductive tract health.…”

“…70 Drenching the elephant' s skin with water before placing the gel-covered ultrasound probe on it often improves the image. Transabdominal ultrasonography may help assess intestinal motility and intestinal wall thickness.…”

Surgical treatment of an umbilical hernia in a free-ranging sub-adult African elephant in Samburu National Reserve, Kenya

“…Previously, clinical case reports concerning general anesthesia and surgical intervention in elephants have been associated with high morbidity and mortality. 2 – 7 While an umbilical hernia is a common congenital or acquired condition in domestic animals, 8 – 10 it has been reported to be rare in elephants. 2 , 5 Many smaller hernias appear to resolve spontaneously, but some cases require surgical repair.…”