CMU Mobile Vet Clinic Updates

New beginnings for the new year seems like the perfect theme for this update from Thailand. So, what better way to start the new year than with news from the Chiang Mai University (CMU) Mobile Vet Clinic team than to talk about babies and the future elephant vets of the world? The roster of the month also included some of the more typical calls like gastrointestinal upset, stiffness, abscesses, and wound care which kept the team busy. Thanks to the team with the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic for all they are doing to improve the lives of elephants now and into the future.

The vet staff of the center and the Thai Elephant Conservation Center (TECC) welcomed and facilitated vet students from Ohio State University in a short training program about elephant medicine at TECC on December 19-20. They discussed topics of management and welfare in 4 groups of elephants. The students got to practice a full physical examination of elephants, and they also learned and practiced medical treatment with cases at the elephant hospital under the supervision of a professional veterinarian as well. This program provided a good opportunity for experiencing to vet students about Asian elephants.

Ohio State University veterinary students at TECC

On December 10, the veterinarian received a call at 3 AM about a new mother elephant showing signs of labor. She gave birth to a healthy male calf at 5:50 AM. Although the calf was strong, the new mother reacted aggressively toward him. The team quickly stepped in to assist, restraining the mother and gradually introducing the calf to her. The placenta had not yet been expelled, and the mother was still agitated when the team attempted to bring the baby to nurse. After 4 hours, the veterinarian administered an oxytocin injection to help the mother expel the placenta and stimulate milk letdown. The team and the vets tried introducing the calf to mom over and over every 30 minutes to 1 hour all day long without much luck. They even started manually milking mom when presenting the calf. Fortunately, by the next morning, nearly 24 hours after birth, the mother had learned to accept the calf and allow him to nurse. The following day when the vets followed up on the calf, they found that he was staying close to his mother and successfully nursing.

(Left) Attempting to introduce the calf to mom in order to nurse
(Right) Calf finally nursing at vet follow-up visit

The veterinarian examined a calf born in November whose mother had a mammary teat defect. The left teat was atrophied, while the right teat was abnormally shaped, making it difficult for the calf to nurse. A few days later, the mother showed signs of agalactia (reduced milk production and letdown). Both the mother and calf were sent to the foundation hospital in Lampang for care. After two weeks, they returned to the camp. The camp vet and the owner requested the CMU mobile vet team to monitor the calf’s health. Upon arrival, they found the calf walking at the forest’s edge with his mother and the herd. The calf was alert, but was very small and thin. It was recommended to keep them in an enclosure to allow the calf to nurse more frequently and get adequate rest.
 

The calf was active and alert, but thin

The owner of an elephant in Mae Wang contacted the CMU mobile vet regarding a newborn calf, which was born on December 10 at 5:35 PM. By the following morning, the calf had not been able to nurse. While the mother elephant did not harm the baby, the calf was unable to find the teat. Due to the lack of sucking or stimulation, the mother’s milk production was reduced. The veterinarian examined both the mother and calf, and they were both healthy. The vet administered the oxytocin to the mother to promote the milk letdown. In addition, the vet recommended that the calf be brought to the mother for milking at least once every hour. After nearly a full day, the mahout reported that the calf still could not nurse. They sought advice on hand-rearing the calf to prevent starvation and weakness. Happily, after 2-3 days the calf was able to nurse on his own.

The new mom with her little boy who was named Maoi.

We are so grateful for the continuing efforts of the Chiang Mai University Mobile Vet Clinic Team! Help AES continue to support them as they strive to make a better future for Thai elephants, by donating TODAY at www.asianelephantsupport.org/donate

CMU Mobile Vet Clinic Updates

November was a very busy month for the CMU Mobile Vet team. There were over a dozen cases with several of them requiring follow-up visits. From the typical cases dealing with wounds and gastrointestinal issues to support for musth bull management and pregnant females.

Early in the month, the team was called to treat a 21-month-old calf with gastrointestinal discomfort and parasites in her fecals. To be safe, the calf was tested for EEHV. Gratefully, after a negative test result, the administration of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, an anti-parasitic medication, and a three-day course of deworming medication the calf’s condition improved and her feces returned to normal. Later in the month, the vets received a call regarding a 52-year-old cow with digestive discomfort. The mahout reported that she hadn’t defecated yet, had laid down twice, and refused to eat. A full history showed she had a history of digestive issues, including the discovery of a small piece of tooth, and her feces had been consistently large and coarse. After fluids, transrectal palpation, and plenty of supportive care the cow was feeling better. The vets instructed the mahout on food management, suggesting chopped grass mixed with pellets, and the cow ate well.

Elder cow feeding happily on chopped grass and pellet

On two separate occasions, the CMU Mobile Vets were called to help support the relocation of two musthy bulls. While each case was different, both bulls needed to be sedated to assist in their safe transfer to areas better equipped to manage each bull during their musth season for their safety, as well as, the safety of the mahouts and other elephants. Musth bulls can be extremely challenging and dangerous to work with. Thankfully, the CMU Mobile Vets were able to aid mahouts for good outcomes!

Vets prepped sedative darts for musth bull management

Several of the cases over the course of the month involved the ups and downs of pregnancy in elephants. The CMU Mobile Clinic vets were called in to assist in ultrasounds on two cows. The team could not visualize the calf in one case, probably due to mom’s large size. In the other instance, the vets were able to assess the condition of a cow experiencing dystocia. They were able to visualize the rib cage of the fetus, but were unable to detect a heartbeat. The mother had labored on and off for a couple days and had made no progress; she passed the deceased fetus a week later. Happily, at the end of the month the vets were called to a remote area in Mae Wang to check on a mom and her newborn calf who had been born early that morning at 3 am. All was well with mom and baby. The little girl was strong and already nursing well.

Vet detecting the ribs of baby during dystocia

Healthy, happy newborn and mom

Help AES continue to support the efforts of the CMU vet team in caring for Thai elephants, by donating TODAY at www.asianelephantsupport.org/donate

CMU Mobile Vet Clinic October Updates

 In early October, heavy rains caused significant water flow from remote areas into the Mae Tang River, leading to a sharp rise in the river’s water level. Many elephant camps, located near the river, experienced flooding. Most camps were prepared and had moved elephants from high-risk areas to higher ground for safety. October 4 marked the peak of the flooding, when access to Mae Tang was cut off, and only boats could navigate through. Fortunately, the water level began to recede the next day, allowing cars to pass, though the routes remained challenging due to mud.

Numerous organizations, including the Department of Livestock Development (DLD), the Thai Elephant Conservation Center (TECC), the Department of National Parks (DNP), and various government and private sectors, provided assistance to the affected elephant camps. The Chiang Mai University (CMU) vet team collaborated with DLD, DNP, and TECC veterinarians to conduct a population count in a large camp where elephants had been dispersed due to the flooding. They also advised on essential plans for proper management and care for the elephants during the flooding event.

The team providing counts and check-ups on relocated elephants after the flood

During the post-disaster recovery period, the CMU vet team and the TECC veterinary team provided targeted veterinary services for elephants in Mae Tang. The visit aimed to monitor elephant health, collect samples for testing flooding-related diseases (such as leptospirosis and parasitic infections), and administer deworming medication. From their field visits, the team observed that each camp was undergoing reconstruction. Most elephants were safe and food supplies were largely unaffected, thanks to the support from various organizations and individuals who provided elephant food and supplements.

Help AES continue to support the CMU vet team to assist with natural disasters, just like the recent flooding, by donating TODAY at www.asianelephantsupport.org/donate