Chiang Mai University hosted a short course on Elephant Medicine for students from LIU at the National Elephant Institute in Lampang from July 7–8. They collaborated with the veterinary staff at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center (TECC) to deliver sessions on topics such as elephants in Thai culture, elephant management, welfare, and the future directions of Thai elephant conservation. For many students, this was their first experience interacting directly with elephants. They learned how to safely approach and handle elephants, participated in full physical examinations, and assisted with veterinary care for elephant patients. The course concluded with group presentations and discussions focused on elephant welfare and the current challenges in elephant conservation.
International veterinary students learn in hands-on atmosphere
One evening the CMU mobile vet team received a call about an elephant with a tusk injury. The following day they were able to examine the injury. According to the owner, two adult females were playing and fighting when one suddenly screamed, and the mahout discovered her tusk had broken. Neither elephant showed other significant wounds or injuries. On examination, the injured elephant’s tusk was broken at the base but, fortunately, without bleeding. There was no severe swelling, the elephant had not packed soil into the cavity and when the veterinarian flushed the empty socket no discharge was observed. The wound was thoroughly cleaned with saline and povidone iodine solution several times. A tetanus toxoid vaccine was administered, and pain control medication was prescribed for four consecutive days. Follow-up recommendations included daily wound observation, maintaining cleanliness of the tusk cavity, prevention of soil packing, monitoring for swelling, discharge, or odor suggestive of infection, restriction of physical activity, and re-examination within one week or earlier if complications arise.
Clean cavity after the loss of the tush
A 3-year-old juvenile elephant presented with swelling of the left carpal region following a slip in the forest. The swelling had persisted for approximately one week, though the elephant exhibited minimal stiffness and maintained functional use of the limb. Therapeutic management included the application of Class IV laser therapy in swelling and tendinitis mode to reduce inflammation and promote recovery. Additionally, a topical spray was prescribed to be applied to the affected area to assist in reducing swelling.
Juvenile calf receives laser therapy to assist in reducing inflammation
The veterinarian visited Mae Wang to perform health examinations on two subadult elephants, aged 6 and 7 years, that have been enrolled in a research project involving biweekly blood collection over the course of one year. Both elephants were found to be in normal body condition, with unremarkable physical examinations and vital parameters within the preferred ranges. Hematology results were also normal. Notably, over the course of the study, both elephants demonstrated increasing cooperation during the medical procedures. They were calm and stood still during blood draws, showing no apparent fear or distress compared to the initial sessions. For the veterinarians, this observation highlights the importance of early training for young elephants to facilitate routine veterinary procedures such as blood collection, which is critical for effective health monitoring and disease surveillance.
Juvenile participates well during routine blood draw for research
The professionals of the Chiang Mai University Mobile Vet Clinic continue to provide top notch care for elephants in all states of health. We are so grateful for their efforts to educate fellow veterinary care providers and mahouts and providing care for Thai elephants of all ages!