As always, February was a busy month for the CMU Mobile Veterinary Clinic Team. There were a variety of cases to keep the vets on their toes. From very young calves to older individuals and from tummies to toes, there were plenty issues that required the veterinary expertise of the CMU vets.
Early in the month, the team responded to a very young (5 day old) calf with a swollen navel. During the examination by the veterinarian, it was observed that the calf would often use its hindleg to scratch at its navel and that the floor was quite wet from cleanings. Thankfully, the navel was already closed up and so treatment was prescribed along with a recommendation to dry out the ground on which mother and baby were standing. After 5 days, the baby’s navel was doing much better.
Vet trying to examine baby’s navel
There were three different cases with gastrointestinal symptoms. One adult female was colicky and was eventually made comfortable. A younger, 13-year-old cow presented as anxious, thin, and eating soil. She was discovered to be infected with parasites. The day after treatment she was better. And an older, 38-year-old female was depressed and sleepy looking. Only slight improvement after treatment prompted the vets to suggest she be taken to the hospital for closer treatment options.
Physical exam of colicky female
A 2.5-year-old calf required quick examination after presenting with symptoms that could be consistent with EEHV. The vets took blood for testing, provided preventative treatments, and suggested keeping the calf away from the other mother and calf living with the sick calf. The following morning the owner reported the calf was much improved and so EEHV was no longer suspected.
Blood testing to rule out EEHV
Finally, there were also a couple of musculoskeletal cases. One was a 50-year-old cow with the entire hind limb swollen, unable to bend, and stiff upon walking. The team treated her with laser acupuncture therapy and soaks. Over a period of 20 days there was improvement but she was still not fully able to bend the knee. There were also a couple cases of nail splits. A young calf had a split nail that the vets attempted to trim up, but due to the calf’s young age did not stand well for the process. She was given meds for inflammation and pain. The last case was an abscess which developed behind the nail of an older female. The foot was thoroughly cleaned and the surrounding nail and cuticle was trimmed to allow the foot to heal. Further foot care will be required to fully heal the injury.
Thank you to the CMU Veterinary Team for their outstanding commitment to Thailand’s elephants! And thank YOU to all who help support their work through AES!