Chiang Mai University's Mobile Vet Clinic - June 2022 Update

Dr. Siripat Khammesri and patient

Our update this month begins with some congratulatory news. Our friend and CMU Mobile Vet Clinic Veterinarian, Dr. Siripat Khammesri, will be stepping aside from his duties with the Mobile Vet Clinic. After joining the Team in late 2020, he has decided to continue his PhD studies, increasing his knowledge to further help elephants and other animals. We want to thank Dr. Siripat for providing his expertise as well as his time and commitment to the health and conservation of Thailand’s elephants while with the Mobile Vet Clinic. He will no doubt still be a crucial resource for elephants and AES into the future.

Say hello to Dr. Pichamon Ueangpaibool, otherwise known as Dr. Eye

To fill those large shoes will be Dr. Pichamon Ueangpaibool, otherwise known as Dr. Eye. She is a graduate of the School of Veterinary Medicine at Chiang Mai University, and first gained her love for elephants during her second year of study when she participated in the “Elephant Salt Lick Camp'' project.

This project created a salt lick for wild elephants, and also created educational opportunities for students to learn elephant anatomy, behavior, the role elephants play in their environment, and how elephants interact with humans. She was intrigued by elephants at this point and has been dedicated to learning more about them ever since. She has also completed an internship with the Thai Elephant Conservation Center (TECC) in Lampang, furthering her drive to become an elephant veterinarian. We welcome Dr. Eye and are excited to continue our partnership with her and the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic to help Thailand’s elephants.

As Dr. Siripat’s last month with the Mobile Vet Clinic came to a close in June, he and the team were able to travel to some remote areas of Thailand: Omkoi, Mai Chaem-Khun Yuam, and Chiang Rai. In all three locations, the team was conducting elephant health checks, sometimes on more than 30 elephants, as in Omkoi. Some elephants in the Mai Chaem-Khun Yuam region have gone back to work since tourism is picking back up, and some have stayed in the villages. These visits were not only special for the CMU veterinary team, to see the elephants in good condition and growing, but the elephant owners showed their way of life, the bonds they have with the animals, and the unity of elephants. The veterinarians were also able to leave some medicines, vitamins, treatments and other medical supplies for the owners to use when needed.

The Mobile Vet Clinic spent a lot of June in the Mae Wang district making house calls to elephants with various maladies such as gastrointestinal issues, foot wounds and abscesses. Two cases in particular were follow-up cases from the month before. First, there is an older female elephant, “Grandma”, who was sent to the Elephant Hospital last month with two abscesses on her front legs that need to be expressed and cleaned out regularly. They found that the abscesses are healing well thanks to the owner’s consistent cleaning. Second is an elephant who had a nail penetrating the pad of her foot last month. Upon examination this month, the wound is healing and the elephant is walking normally.

The work being done by the team with the Chiang Mai University’s Mobile Vet Clinic takes dedication and commitment. We are thrilled to have Dr. Eye joining the team. To show your support to Dr. Eye, and your encouragement for Dr. Siripat, please head to www.asianelephantsupport.org and make a donation!

Chiang Mai University's Mobile Vet Clinic - January 2022 Update

Our partners with the Chiang Mai University’s Mobile Vet Clinic had a busy start to the New Year. On January 7, Dr. Siripat and his team traveled to visit an elephant in the Mae Wang area who was reported to have an eye issue. When the vet team arrived, they found the elephant playing in a field filled with dried corn husks, which they determined to be the cause of the tearing eye. The veterinary team provided treatment and medication to the elephant and the owner was also provided instructions for future care.

Dry, dusty conditions lead to eye irritations in elephants

January 10 saw Dr. Siripat and the Mobile Vet Clinic headed to the Mae Chaem area to visit an elephant who was suffering from gastrointestinal issues and not eating. When the owner called, he said that the elephant wasn’t able to swallow properly and was drooling. The only things the elephant could consume were soft bananas and water. Upon further investigation and after taking a history of the elephant from the owner, they determined that the elephant had eaten leaves from a Red Zebrawood tree which caused irritation in the elephant’s mouth and throat. The male elephant was treated with an antihistamine and inflammation medication. They also were able to educate the owner about food management and urged the them to try to prevent this from happening again in the future.

The next day, the Mobile Vet Clinic made its way back to the Mae Wang area to treat an elephant with colic and another with a foot issue.

The young elephant with the foot issue was observed with an awkward walking style. After the use of thermal camera imaging, the vet team determined that the elephant had thinning foot pads causing the pain when walking over rocky terrain.

The young elephant with the foot issue was observed with an awkward walking style. After the use of thermal camera imaging, the vet team determined that the elephant had thinning foot pads causing the pain when walking over rocky terrain.

Dr. Siripat exams the foot of this young elephant

The young elephant had been playing on a sandy ground-cover, which may have caused the thinning of the foot pads. The doctor suggested ways to solve the problem and the owner will monitor the symptoms.

With the help of the Thai Elephant Alliance Association (TEAA), the elephant with colic was treated with supplements, pain and gas relievers. An enema was also performed and it was discovered that there were dry, rough feces inside which may have contributed to the issue. While treating this elephant, another elephant required treatment for gastrointestinal issues as well. The team spent the night with these elephants and both were looking better the next day as the feces began to move out.

On January 20, the team traveled to Chiang Mai to begin treatment for a 2-year-old elephant who was showing signs of EEHV - purple tongue, lethargy, swollen face and fever. Again with help from the TEAA veterinary team, the young elephant was immediately given antiviral medication, anti-inflammatories, steroids and fluids. Blood was collected from the adult elephant herd members in order to perform a blood transfusion for the calf. Thankfully, with the timely and skilled treatment from the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic and the TEAA, they were able to save the young elephant's life.

Stay tuned next month for Dr. Siripat’s February update on the activities of the Mobile Vet Clinic. Please show your support for the Chiang Mai University veterinary team, by visiting www.asianelephantsupport.org to make your donation.

Chiang Mai University's Mobile Vet Clinic - December 2021 Update

The Chiang Mai University Mobile Vet Clinic was busy yet again at the close of 2021. The first few days of December were spent in the Mae Wang and Mae La Noi areas of Thailand. On December 2, in Mae Wang, the veterinary team rushed to an elephant with an eye injury. It was reported that the elephant’s eye was very teary, so the veterinarians provided medication for the injury. The next day the owner decided to take the elephant to the Elephant Hospital in Lampeng for further treatment.

Dr. Siripat providing medication to mahout

While in Mae La Noi on December 2-3, the veterinary team followed up by doing a health check on an elephant that they first saw back in June 2021. The elephant was looking good and staying healthy, but the veterinarians still gave the owners some first aid and medicine for the elephant. After leaving Mae La Noi the CMU PhD students traveled to an elephant sanctuary on December 7 in Loie to continue to collect fecal samples for their research studies.

The next day, the team traveled to Mae Chaem district to treat an elephant reported to have diarrhea.

Upon arrival, the elephant was found to not be eating or drinking. The veterinarian decided to treat with activated charcoal, and spent the night with the elephant to make sure she was feeling better before returning to Chiang Mai. The following day, the elephant was indeed looking better.

December 14 saw the veterinarians traveling to Pai area, to follow up on some elephants that had been seen last month and we reported on in our January Newsletter. The elephant with the abscess on his back is still not ready for the abscess to be opened and cleaned, so the doctors and staff will continue to monitor this elephant. The elephant with the eye injury from bamboo to the eye is doing very well. The eye healed almost normally, although with a scar on the eye. However there is 90% vision in the elephant’s eye which is a great accomplishment for the veterinary assistant who took care of this elephant. Thirdly, the elephant with sores on his genitals was also healing well with treatments provided by his mahout, and the sores left no scars. The vets also took the time to educate the elephant owners on food quality for their elephants.

In the winter months, the quality and quantity of food for the elephants is diminished, and the colder weather causes the elephants to drink less water. So the vets took this opportunity to advise the owners of proper food management. Their philosophy is prevention is more important than treatment.

On December 17, the vet team provided laser therapy for an elephant in the Mae Tang area. This is the first time the veterinarians have used laser therapy so this is an exciting moment for them! The large male elephant on which they performed the laser therapy was suffering from a musculoskeletal issue. The team expects the tusker to be fine after the treatment, however the vets and the elephant camp will closely monitor the results. A few days later, the elephant had an abscess that was opened up by the elephant camp caretakers, so the veterinarians used laser treatment again to facilitate the healing process.

The team finished up the year in Mae Tang with yet another laser treatment session, this time for an older female who couldn’t stand up on her own. After watching the elephant walk, the veterinarians decided to perform the laser therapy on the elephant’s hip and knee areas. The camp managers and the vet team will collaborate to monitor her progress and evaluate the need for further treatments.

The CMU Mobile Vet Clinic ended their year busier than ever! To support their efforts into the New Year, please visit our website at www.asianelephantsupport.org to donate and help our veterinary partners.

Mae Chaem calf with diarrhea back with her herd the following day after receiving care from the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic

Chiang Mai University's Mobile Vet Clinic - November 2021 Update

We continue our update from Thailand and our veterinarians with the Chiang Mai University Mobile Vet Clinic beginning in the Galyani Vadhana and Mae Tang areas on November 18-19, 2021. The veterinarians and their team worked with the Department of Livestock to conduct health exams on seven elephants in the area. While there, they scanned an implanted microchip and helped an elephant owner check his elephant.

Also on November 19, after leaving the Galyani area, the Mobile Vet Clinic visited an elephant in Pai area in Mae Hong Son district and followed up on an elephant who had been struck in the eye with bamboo, who was recovering well with treatment. Her corneal ulcer had improved since first being treated in September. They also treated an elephant who had an abscess on his back, and an elephant who had a wound on her genital area. The owner of this elephant had previously spoken to the doctors via telephone and cleaned the wound on his own. The doctors were pleased at the owner’s treatment and will return at a later date to follow up on progress.

The following week, November 24-25, the PhD students from the University visited an elephant camp in Mae Wang and Mae Tang districts in order to collect fecal samples for research on the development of different gut flora in elephants from different regions of the country. While at the camp the CMU team performed health checks as well.

On November 30, the veterinarians traveled to Mae Chaem in response to a vet technician who was calling about an elephant calf whose temperature was dropping and as a result, was not eating and was lethargic. The veterinarians immediately thought it was EEHV, so they examined the calf and took some samples for testing. The calf seemed to still be healthy so we will get an update at a later date, as the veterinarians and technicians continue to monitor this individual.

To finish out the month, November 30-December 2 found the veterinarians in Mae Wang district visiting “Grandma”, an elderly elephant whom they have visited in the past, treating her for lethargy. The veterinarians were called in the middle of the night and told that Grandma was lethargic. The Department of Livestock and the Thai Elephant Alliance Association had already begun treatment for Grandma, but the CMU veterinary team administered fluids to increase her energy. Grandma slept a while but when she woke up she was hungry, which was a great sign. By December 2, Grandma was having trouble pushing her feces out on her own, so the team gave her an enema - which did the trick! The obstruction was removed. The veterinarians further suggested to the owner of Grandma that he add water and supplements to the grass that she eats in order to keep her feces soft. They also suggested that the owner stop feeding Grandma hay which can lead to colic in older elephants.

As always, AES is so thankful for the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic's team of veterinarians and technicians and their hard work and dedication. Stay tuned for next month’s newsletter as we update you on how our CMU crew finished out the year!

Chiang Mai University's Mobile Vet Clinic - October 2021 Update

Never a month goes by that the dedicated team with the Chiang Mai University Mobile Vet Clinic doesn’t go to great lengths to help elephants in need. From the newest born to older elephants, we are so grateful for the aid this team provides to all of the elephants in their care.

While we hope all cases have happy endings, some do not. As was the case with the Mobile Clinic's first visit to provide assistance in October. A mother elephant was found to be severely underweight and struggling.

Lab work was done to rule out any underlying disease for the mother, calf and an “auntie”. Despite an otherwise clean bill of health for all of the elephants based on those results, the mother passed away. The CMU doctors suspect that a lack of proper nutrition during her pregnancy may have been the cause for her ill health and ultimate death. The Doctors report that the calf and her aunt are doing well and with guidance on nutrition management having been provided, the owner will be able to prevent any future issues.

A four-hour-old calf was the patient in the next case for the Mobile Clinic. This little calf was found bleeding from their umbilical cord.

With quick treatment from Dr. Khajohnpat and his Team, including medication and cleaning of the area, bleeding stopped and the next day the calf was in good health.

From very young to very old, the CMU Team invests so much care and commitment to help elephants in need and educate owners. In October the Mobile Clinic visited this elephant twice after already providing her care during prior visits.

The first visit involved delivering a third dose of tetanus vaccine and opening a facial abscess. The good news was that when they opened the wound, nothing was found inside and time to heal was all that was called for along with providing advice to the owner on how to clean it properly. At another visit in late October, the Team was pleased to find the wound was healing very well.

In an update on the 65-year-old elephant suffering from an eye ulceration and an abscess on her leg we told you about previously - due to the good work of the owner, in coordination with the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic, this elephant continues to heal and Dr. Khajohnpat reports she still has vision in the affected eye!

As we come up on the end of the year we ask that you take this opportunity to help the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic and the other veterinarians AES provides assistance to. Please make a donation by December 31st to show how much you appreciate their work and when you do, write a message to these dedicated professionals to express your gratitude. We’d love to share it with them!

Chiang Mai University's Mobile Vet Clinic - September 2021 Update

Our Chiang Mai University’s Mobile Vet Unit veterinarian team was spread around Thailand yet again in the month of September and they teamed up with the DLD, Department of Livestock Development, for many of the visits, doing health checks for over 300 elephants. September 6 and 7, the CMU vets and the DLD did health checks in the Hod-Omkoi area, followed by a trip to Mae Chaem on September 13-15. Finally, they ended their health checks in the Mae Wang area on September 20-22 and September 28.

In the April AES Newsletter we reported on this elephant that suffered chemical burns to the mouth 

During those health checks, the veterinarians checked on an elephant who had been treated for coming into contact with herbicide, and she has made a full recovery. They also implanted a microchip into a young elephant and did other microchip checks as well. 

On September 25, the CMU vets traveled to the Hod district to help an owner of an elephant who’s bull had gone into musth early and had gotten away from the owner. The elephant was not safe being around a nearby village going into musth, so it was critical to safely retrieve the bull. Eventually, the bull was brought back to the owner and the doctors were able to do a health check on the elephant to make sure he wasn’t injured. They also spent some time with the owner educating him on bull management.

Another stop that the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic made in September was, again, in Mae Wang area, to make a follow up visit to an elephant named "Grandma". She was given a tetanus toxoid booster, and they checked on a facial abscess, which they are waiting until next month to drain the purulent material from.

Finally, they made a trip to the Pai area on September 20 to check a female elephant with a corneal ulcer in her eye, resulting from being hit in the eye with bamboo while foraging in the forest. The vets wanted to treat this eye issue quickly as it is a fast moving issue if untreated. She was treated with antibiotics and pain relievers, with a plan to follow up with her in one week.

On September 27, the veterinarians returned for a re-check and found that her eye was healing, thanks to the application of autologous serum and the actions of the owner and the vet assistant. Autologous serum is derived from blood and can be used to treat a number of ocular issues including abrasions

As the tireless work of the CMU veterinarian team continues, we will be sure to bring you their stories and keep you updated on their mission to care for the elephants of Thailand.

If you would like to make a contribution to their mission, please donate today!

Chiang Mai University's Mobile Vet Clinic - August 2021 Update

In late August the team from the Chiang Mai University Mobile Vet Clinic partnered with the National Elephant Health Service and Research Institute to conduct health checks on over 400 elephants in the Mae Tang region of Northern Thailand.

Interestingly, as part of the regular checks, elephants are first identified by checking microchips similar to the ones we may use for the pets in our own homes.

A microchip reader used to identify elephants during a large-scale health check on 400 elephants

Earlier in the month, the veterinarians were called out to a case in the Mae Wang area where a young calf was reported to be lethargic and not eating.

A report of an issue in an elephant this young can cause a great deal of concern, as the caretakers and vet team worry about possibility that this might be a case of EEHV – Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus – a deadly disease affecting elephants generally between one to twelve years of age. The team immediately took samples to test for the often-fatal illness. With further examination however, the veterinarians discovered an abscess causing facial swelling that they believed to be the root of the problems. Anti-inflammatory medications were given and the calf started showing signs of improvement within two days. And the sample that was taken earlier…came back negative for EEHV!

Also, in Mae Wang, the CMU van was called out for an elephant that had an abnormal gait due to a puncture in her foot. With the help of thermal imaging, the vet staff was able to see the injury site. Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications along with a tetanus vaccine were administered to stop a potential infection.

Thermal-photography can be used with elephants to identify the locations of infections, arthritis and other injuries such as this puncture wound

While conducting health checks with the Department of Livestock Development in Mae Tang, the CMU team treated an elephant suffering from inflammation of the tissue surrounding the elephant’s tush (the term used for tusks in female elephants).

The area was painful and there was movement in the tush itself. In this case, the veterinarians prescribed antibiotics, pain relievers and additional supplements. Follow-up care was scheduled with the veterinarian in charge of this area after the CMU team provided her the immediate help she required.

The Chiang Mai University Mobile Vet Clinic can respond to a variety of cases every single month, as called upon because of the generous support that AES donors provide.

We encourage you to lend a hand by clicking here to donate. We also have a small supply of Chang Vet Aid 2021 t-shirts still available for sale. Don’t miss out on this limited-edition shirt - sales of which benefit the work of the Thai veterinarians! To purchase a shirt and support the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic, click here!

Chiang Mai University's Mobile Vet Clinic - July 2021 Update

Gastrointestinal issues, sometimes called colic, can be common but also life-threatening in elephants. In July the team with the Chiang Mai University Mobile Vet Unit had several such cases that required their immediate assistance.

An elephant showing signs of colic lays down to try to relieve pain associated with abdominal distention

Fluid therapy and pain relief is typically the first approach to helping with these issues, but in two of the cases that presented in July, more assistance was required. Enemas had to be performed by the vet team to remove the dry rough feces that was causing a blockage in the elephants. Skilled handling of the elephants by their mahouts allows for the doctors and nurses to safely perform this procedure on an elephant that is already in a lot of discomfort.

Fluid therapy and pain medication being provided

Enema being performed for an elephant in Mae Wang

An elephant experiencing these issues can cause mahouts and veterinarians a lot of worry and distress. One incident in Mae Chaem proved especially worrisome. A vet nurse, under the direction of veterinarians, was deployed to assist in a bad case of colic. On the first day, fluids and pain medications were injected. The second day the elephant was observed eating and drinking a little.

But by the third day the attending vet nurse reported the elephant still hadn’t passed any feces and concern over the elephant’s condition was growing. Two doctors from CMU and staff from the Thai Elephant Alliance Association (TEAA) set out immediately. As they were on the road, thankfully they received a call telling them that the elephant had finally passed a bolus of fecal matter. According to Dr. Khajohnpat – “After that voice ended, everyone calmed down. Our whole team of doctor, vet nurse and the owner of the elephant including the elephant itself, who should feel more comfortable.”

Example of an over-sized fecal bolus passed by an elephant in Mae Wang

In these cases, the CMU Mobile Vet Unit always follows up to check in and advises on dietary changes that might help prevent these issues in the future. We are grateful for the care that the CMU Team and TEAA provides to elephants in need and to you for your support of their work to save elephant lives.

Chiang Mai University's Mobile Vet Clinic - June 2021 Update: Part two

Since June was such a busy month for our veterinarians Dr. Khajohnpat Boonprasert and Dr. Siripat Khammersri and the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic team, our monthly report was split into two updates. We shared the first update in our July newsletter. And this month, we share more about their critical work to save elephants in Thailand.

CMU Mobile Vet Team on their way to Mae La Noi area

We left off with our doctors visiting the Mae Wang district of Thailand. Then, on June 16, they traveled to the Mae La Noi area, thanks to the coordination from the Thai Elephant Alliance Association (TEAA). The vets were called to provide life saving support to a 5 yearold elephant who was suffering from diarrhea and lethargy.

After taking a history, a physical exam was performed and medication started being administered. It was discovered that the young elephant’s diarrhea was being caused by ingesting soil, which can happen when there is a shift in the elephant’s environment or after a change of seasons. After some time observing the youngster, he started eating and the vets were confident the diarrhea had subsided. Before leaving the village the next day, June 17, the doctors checked on the elephant one more time and gave the elephant’s owner some medication to continue treatment if necessary.

Their next stop was Mae Tang district on June 21. The vets were called by an owner to examine his elephant’s eye with a cloudy cornea. During eye exams, the doctors use fluorescein stain in order to be able to spot corneal lesions. This elephant’s cornea was deemed clear of lesions or ulcers, but they did discover a minor irritation to the conjunctiva. The doctors used eye drops to relieve the irritation and also provided some advice to the elephant owner.

Finally, on June 21, an owner in the Mae Sariang area needed the assistance of the CMU Team and the TEAA to transport an older elephant to the Elephant Hospital at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center (TECC) in Lampang.

The elephant is suffering from chronic arthritis due to continuous weight shifting among her hindlimbs and forelimbs. The TEAA provided a transport vehicle and the older elephant was successfully transported to the Hospital the following morning, after quite a difficult night. We hope to follow the progress of this elephant’s health in our next report from the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic and keep you posted in our September newsletter if possible.

As always, you can visit www.asianelephantsupport.org to show your support for our tireless veterinarians who continue to travel across Thailand helping our treasured elephants by making a donation. Your donations and fundraiser support over the last year has kept the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic running and has helped save the lives of numerous elephants in need. We thank you for your continuing contributions.

Chiang Mai University's Mobile Vet Clinic - June 2021 Update

Doctors Khajohnpat and Siripat continued their diligent work for the elephants of Thailand in the month of June. Even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to seriously affect the region and the travel conditions remain treacherous, our CMU veterinarians’ dedication remains strong.

June first had the doctors travelling to the area of Mae Wang. The doctors spent several days in that district tending to elephants with a variety of problems. June 2nd saw the veterinarians helping an elephant who wasn’t eating or drinking water, and had diarrhea which included dirt inside the feces. Treatments, which included activated charcoal and oral rehydration salt, began immediately. A few days later the elephant had fully recovered and was eating and acting normally.

Continuing in Mae Wang district, the team visited a camp with a mother elephant who was suffering from colic. At 4:00pm on June 4th, the vets started the mother on fluids and pain medications. They performed an enema, which revealed the elephant had dry, rough feces

Fecal samples showed signs of improvement after treatment

Mother receiving treatment, while calf stands under her head

After a day of treatment, the mother was still unable to pass feces on her own. The doctors continued to perform treatments, even with the mother’s calf by her side, and worked until 4:00pm on June 5th. To promote gastrointestinal activity and movement, the elephant was led by her mahout to the nearby river, and she finally passed the feces.

The next case in Mae Wang saw the veterinarians treating a young calf who had been bitten by a leech, and had been bleeding for six hours. After a call from the owner of the elephant, the veterinarians arrived at 8:00pm on June 9th and started treatments to stop the bleeding. Thankfully, the treatments were successful and the young elephant made a full recovery.

This was a busy month for the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic, so we will continue with more June updates in our next newsletter. In the meantime, visit the AES website to donate and support these essential efforts in providing critical care to our beloved Thailand elephants.

Chiang Mai University's Mobile Vet Clinic - May 2021 Update

Even through a new surge of COVID 19 in Thailand, our friends with the Chiang Mai University’s Mobile Vet Clinic, Drs. Khajohnpat and Siripat, continued their most important visits to elephants in need throughout Thailand.

The month of May was spent mainly in the Mae Tang district. Their first case on May 9 was to conduct a blood transfusion from 2 elephants for a third elephant who was suffering from anemia. The transfusion was successful and the elephant that accepted the transfusion began to respond to treatment and appears to be recovering.

(Left): Dr. Siripat with assistance from a Vet Nurse to collect blood from donor elephant

(Right) Elephant is receiving life-saving transfusion

On May 12 the doctors visited an elephant owner who was concerned about his elephant who was emaciated and had been losing weight over the course of a month. The veterinarians collected some secretions from the elephant’s trunk which tested positive for tuberculosis, a serious respiratory disease that affects humans and elephants. The doctors advised the elephant’s owner to monitor symptoms and to start planning for the very intense treatment for the disease. Unfortunately, 5 days later, the elephant passed away from the disease.

Critically ill elephant - while not all cases have happy endings, the veterinarians provide advise and care wherever needed

May 26, a national Thai holiday, found the doctors traveling to visit an elephant who was in abdominal distress. After examination, the veterinarians decided to administer fluids and pain relievers at about 2:30 in the afternoon. After this, they gave the elephant an enema and found dry, rough feces inside the elephant that was the probable cause of the distress. After inquiring with the owner further it was found that the elephant in question was stealing the other elephant’s hay overnight and consuming it.

The next day, the elephant still could not pass feces by herself. The doctors continued their fluids, pain relievers and enemas. Finally, by 8:00pm on May 27, the obstructive feces were pulled out and completely removed. The veterinarians suggested to the elephant owner that he begin chopping the grass he feeds to this elephant, and mixing it with water and supplements to prevent the consumption of dry food. They also suggest that the owner discontinue feeding older elephants hay, which can cause colic.

Although their job is not glamorous, and the endings are not always happy ones, the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic veterinarians and nurses continue their tireless work for the elephants of Thailand. To support their efforts, and efforts for elephants all across Asia, please visit our website www.asianelephantsupport.org to make a life saving donation.

Critically ill elephant - while not all cases have happy endings, the veterinarians provide advise and care wherever needed

Chiang Mai University's Mobile Vet Clinic - April 2021 Update

Dr. Siripat providing care to elephant during an annual visit

Dr. Khajohnpat and Dr. Siripat kept quite busy during the month of April in the Chiang Mai University’s Mobile Vet Clinic. The van, donated by AES in March 2019, has been taking the veterinarians across Thailand performing health checks and providing emergency medical care to elephants in need.

Dr. Khajohnpat advises owners on elephant care strategies

The doctors traveled to Huay Pak Kood, Mae Jam district from April 7-8, to make a visit to about 50 elephants they hadn’t seen in a year. They provided care to the elephants as well as spent time with mahouts and owners, discussing any issues they may have in order to keep their elephants healthy for the following year.

A tragic wind storm swept through the Mae Wang district on April 14, killing three elephants and leaving three injured from a fallen 100 year old tree. The veterinarians rushed to the area and helped treat the elephants in need.

Treating a severely injured elephant following the windstorm

Two injured elephants were transported to the Elephant Hospital at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center with the help of the Thai Elephant Alliance Association team of doctors. One injured elephant was not seriously hurt so she was treated and will be monitored further. After investigation of the area, it is believed the female elephants of the herd were surrounding a calf to protect him and keep him calm during the storm.

April 22 saw the CMU van travel to the Mae Tang district to help an elephant owner manage his bull elephant going into an early musth.

In Thai and English sig reads DANGER! NO Entry, Elephant in musth

Their plan of sedating the male, securing him and walking him into his containment area was a success. By using the best safety protocols, the veterinarians were able to safely secure the bull with no injuries to the elephant or people.

April ended with the doctors heading to the Pai area to treat an elephant that was suffering from abdominal distension and diarrhea. Fluid therapy for rehydration, supplements and pain relief were administered immediately. While treating this elephant, another elephant with the same owner was showing colic symptoms.

After conversing with the owner, the cause of the colic was discovered – dry vegetation. The veterinarians suggested to the owner that he mix chopped grasses with water and supplements. The veterinarians decided to treat the elephants with activated charcoal and fluids with supplements and their condition improved within a few days.

We continue to be so proud of Dr. Khajohnpat, Dr. Siripat and the entire CMU Mobile Vet Clinic team and their tireless work to help Asian elephants all over Thailand. And we couldn’t have made it this far without your support! Stay tuned to future newsletters for continued updates and stories of their journeys. As always, please visit www.asianelephantsupport.org to make a donation to help keep our veterinarians going strong!

Dr. Siripat with patient eating soaked food

March 2021 Update - CMU Mobile Vet Clinic

After a monumentally successful fundraiser - thanks to you, AES's amazing community of supporters - and being able to fully fund the salary for a second veterinarian, February and March saw the doctors with Chiang Mai University’s Center of Elephant and Wildlife Research Mobile Veterinary Clinic continuing their mission of providing veterinary care to Asian elephants all over Thailand. Using the AES donated van, the tireless veterinarians were able to traverse all sorts of terrain, including crossing a waterway to reach a remote forest village (Facebook users: click here to see the CMU van in action).

Their travels took them to the western border with Myanmar, and with the help of the Thai Elephant Alliance Association (TEAA), led by President Therrapat Trungprakan, the CMU van took a 6 hour drive, for the third time in a month, to help a 9 year old female elephant suffering from mouth burns. The elephant was roaming loosely, around a farm at night, away from her owner, and got into some bottles of farming chemicals. As elephants do, the elephant put those chemicals in her mouth, causing chemical burns. Thankfully the elephant, with guidance and help from the veterinarians, the TEAA team and the dedication of her owners and caretakers, was able to fully recover.

Photo courtesy of TEAA: A touching photo of an elephant owner, grateful for the care provided by the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic

Specifically travelling to the districts of Om Koi, Mae La Mad and Ta Song Yang, Drs. Siripat and Khajohnpat, along with the CMU Elephant and Wildlife Research team, provided education to local elephant owners and villagers on the importance of wild elephants living in their natural forests. Up until this point, these areas did not have any issues with human-elephant conflict, however there are now conflicts among elephant owners and farmers where elephants are getting into local corn farmers’ plantations. The veterinarians also discussed elephant management, disease and ways to medically treat elephants. While in these remote areas educating, the doctors also visited and treated several sick elephants.

Dr. Siripat and the team with the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic providing essential education and tools to owners and caretakers

AES couldn’t be more proud to see the elephant success stories and the education Dr. Khajohnpat and Dr. Siripat are providing communities across Thailand.

Thank You for Making the Chang Vet Aid 2021 Fundraiser a Success!

Plai Salawin stands next to the CMU Van - Hundreds of elephants are helped by the clinic every year, thanks to your support

We at Asian Elephant Support, count ourselves lucky to have such amazing friends, who love and care for Asian elephants and their caretakers as much as we do!

From Canada to New Mexico, from New York to Santa Barbara, and everywhere in between, you supported the Chang Vet Aid 2021 fundraiser and our efforts to provide the salary for Dr. Siripat, the additional Veterinarian with Thailand's Chiang Mai University Mobile Vet Clinic. 

On behalf of all of us at Asian Elephant Support, thank you for making this fundraiser such an overwhelming success. With your help we raised more than $15,000 through shirt sales and additional donations during the campaign, allowing us to not only provide the salary for the second Veterinarian but also to continue to fund emergency requests for aid throughout Asia during this difficult time. 

We hope that all those who purchased items enjoy and wear them with pride when they arrive in the mail and that all those who contributed know how grateful we are to you for your generosity. 

Linda, Barbara, Liz & Mindy

Asian Elephant Support, Board of Directors

Thanks from TEAA for CMU Mobile Vet Clinic

The week of February 24th the Chiang Mai University (CMU) Mobile Vet Clinic in partnership with the Thai Elephant Association Alliance (TEAA) responded to an emergency involving an elephant that had sustained injuries from drinking herbicide.

Welcome Dr. Siripat - New Veterinarian for CMU Mobile Vet Clinic

Dr. Siripat Khammesri with the Chiang Mai University Mobile Vet Clinic

With support from AES, our dear friend, Dr. Khajohnpat Boonprasert from the Chiang Mai University Mobile Vet Clinic, has teamed up with a second veterinarian, Dr. Siripat Khammesri. The two will both be traveling, providing veterinary care and health checks to Thailand’s elephants.

The addition of a second veterinarian is critical, especially during the pandemic that has left many elephants out of work due to the lack of tourists.  Owners have taken their elephants back to their home villages and the mobile clinic is spending much more time on the road to care for these elephants. 

One of their recent stops was to Surin Province, located in south eastern Thailand. There, the doctors collaborated with the Institute of Elephant Research and Healthcare services, livestock department and with the Thai Elephant Conservation Center.  While on this mission, the doctors treated a remarkable 65 elephants!

Elephant from Surin Province surveys CMU Van’s trunk space

Veterinarians and Mahouts performing blood draw

In the photos from Surin province, you can see the doctors helping the local men and women perform blood draws from the elephants’ ears, which helps in determining an elephant’s overall health.

On the way home to Chiang Mai, they stopped at a Buddhist festival in Uthai Thani province to provide healthcare services for three elephants there.  Treatments included NSAIDs for lameness and eye care medications.   

Looking ahead, the two veterinarians will be able to travel to an extended area in northern Thailand, and be able to cover for each other for emergencies, on weekends and holidays.

With the use of the transport vehicle, both doctors will be able to serve Thailand’s elephants more effectively.  We are proud to watch the vehicle AES donated to the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic be used, both effectively and efficiently.  We hope you will follow along with us while we watch the impact of the mobile unit grow. AES thanks our donors who make such efforts happen. Thank you!

Med Care Boxes in Thailand

In March, tourism came to a screeching halt in Thailand due to the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This in turn resulted in the tourist camps closing and the mahout owners returning with their elephants back to their home regions, and in many cases to very remote areas.

Almost immediately a partnership was formed by the Thai Elephant Alliance Association and the Center for Elephant and Wildlife Research to provide medical care to all elephants including those that were no longer in areas or camps with veterinarians.
 
AES provided funding to both the TEAA and the CEWR to help with the additional visits, medicines and supplies that would be needed to help in this crisis. Part of that help was to provide first aid emergency med care boxes to elephant owners so that they could perform some health care themselves. TEAA provided food supplies for the elephants.
 
Throughout this time a total of 72 kits to help over 1200 elephants across Thailand have been distributed: some for communities where they do have some veterinary practitioners but most for camps and owners without veterinarians. And what do these big blue boxes contain to help Asian elephants? Wound dressing kits, pain killers, gastrointestinal drugs, ophthalmic drugs, vitamins, antibiotic injections, NSAIDS injections, among other medicines.

Thai CMU Mobile Vet Van Report

Dr. Khajohnpat Boonprasert, Center of Elephant and Wildlife Research, Chiang Mai University

If you have been following AES via Facebook and reading previous newsletters you will know that the CMU Mobile Vet Van that AES donated last year to the Center of Elephant and Wildlife Research has been extremely busy during the covid pandemic. In partnership with the Thai Elephant Alliance Association they have been able to help many camp owners and mahouts take care of their elephants when they would not have otherwise been able to afford veterinary care due to loss of tourism income.  

Since March 2019 the CMU Mobile Vet Van has traveled about 58,430 km (36,306 miles) with 5,000 km (3,106 miles) of that during the covid-19 pandemic. That is a lot of trips and many elephants that have been helped thanks to the donations made to AES to provide the van as well as provide medical supplies during the crisis.

This month Dr. Khajohnpat Boonprasert of the Center of Elephant and Wildlife Research, Chiang Mai University has reported back about 2 of their recent trips.

“Friday July 3: CMU and TEAA staffs went to Mae Jame district for an urgent emergency case. A new born calf had gotten wound in abdominal and its intestines pulled out. We took 4 hours to arrive at the closest village to the calf. Unluckily, the calf died 2 hours before we arrived. Although, we could not save the baby’s life, we provided health care services for the other elephants there, such as a broken tusk case.”

“Monday July 6: Gastrointestinal distress/constipation in Asian elephants
A 45-year-old pregnant female elephant (Pang Tang-Mo) had suffered from GI discomfort in the middle of the night due to GI constipation. She could not pass her stool out normally and gasses in the intestine were continually built-up causing a lot of pain. The mahout team looked after her closely throughout the night. Our team provided intensive treatment with a painkiller, IV fluids, GI stimulants, encouraged movement, and performed rectal enema. She responded to the treatment very well and recovered the following day.

“This problem can be caused by various factors which including improper diet, inappropriate water consumption, low physical activities of elephants, etc. GI constipation/colic can even contribute to the life-threatening to the elephants in some severe cases. So the proper management whether elephant diets or encourage physical activities is very important especially during the COVID-19 pandemic which the activities of the elephant had been changed due to less tourist visiting.”
#ElephantHealthOurHeart

Assisting CEWR and TEAA during COVID-19 pandemic

AES is assisting the Center of Elephant and Wildlife Research and the Thailand Elephant Alliance Association in helping elephant owners and camps to provide medical care to their elephants during their  loss of revenue due to covid shutdown of tourism. The recent funds that AES has provided were used to provide free of charge medicine for the CMU mobile elephant clinic (that AES provided last year). The funds were also used to provide 30 First aid med-boxes for elephant and camp owners to treat elephants.

Shown below are some of the blue  First aid med-boxes for the owners to treat their elephants. These photos were taken on a recent trip by the CMU mobile vet van to villages in Mae Jam district to help 100 camp elephants.

CMU Van Working During Covid-19

Dr. Yeaw of the Center of Elephant and Wildlife Research has reported that during the covid-19 outbreak, they have also corroborated with the Thai Elephant Alliance Association for helping elephants that need urgent veterinary services using the CMU Mobile Vet van that AES donated in 2019.

They recently treated an elephant that had been lame and non-weight bearing for many days. During the exam they found a chronic abscess and inflammation. They then opened the abcess, dressed the wound and applied anitibiotic.