title: Strangulating intestinal obstructions in four captive elephants (Elephas maximus and Loxodonta 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.
authors.affiliation: Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Center for Elephant Conservation, 12850 Old Grade Road, Polk City, Florida 33868, USA. ellen.wiedner@lacity.org
authors.forename: Ellen B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Wiedner
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peddie
authors.forename: Linda Reeve
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Peddie
authors.forename: Noha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Abou-Madi
authors.forename: George V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Kollias
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Doyle
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Lindsay
authors.forename: Ramiro
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Isaza
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Terrell
authors.forename: Tim M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Lynch
authors.forename: Kari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Charlie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sammut
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Daft
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Uzal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D004606:Elephants; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male