Induced elephant (Loxodonta africana) tusk removal.
Elephant tusk removal usually requires costly surgical procedures that are time-consuming and present a significant risk to the animal when performed using general anesthesia. Such techniques require gauges, chisels, and forceps to remove the tusk. This article reports the simple removal of the tusk of an 18-yr-old African elephant (Loxodonta africana) without the use of surgical instruments and anesthesia. Rubber elastics were placed around a tusk, causing loss of alveolar bone with subsequent exfoliation of the tusk within 3 wk. The healing process was uneventful.
Steiner
Martin
M
Department of Surgical and Hospital Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40292, USA.
Gould
Alan R
AR
Clark
Thomas J
TJ
Burns
Roy
R
D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004606:Elephants / Q000293:injuries; D005260:Female; D007180:Incisor / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D011206:Povidone-Iodine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011671:Pulpitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000662:veterinary; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D014086:Tooth Mobility / Q000662:veterinary; D020390:Tooth Socket
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D011206:Povidone-Iodine