Treatment of Hoof Disease in an Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) Using Creative Surgery: A Successful Case Report

Abstract

Case Description- Chronic foot disease, which is considered a tremendous clinical challenge, poses a serious threat to the overall health of elephants. We treated an Asian elephant with hoof disease by a creative surgery. Clinical Findings- An Asian elephant presented with hoof disease, which caused the partial detachment of its right hind foot-pad. Treatment and Outcome- We fixed the elephant’s foot by using an artificial steel plate and sternal wire, At the same time we adjusted diet. Elephant hoof disease is cured and its function restored.Clinical Relevance- The utilization of fixation plates can be extremely useful for the treatment of hoof disease in the elephant.

Keywords

• elephant
• hoof disease
• treatment