Results of vaccination of Asia elephants with
monovalent inactivated rabies vaccine
Ramiro
Isaza, DVM, MS; Rolan D.
Davis, MS; Susan M. Moore; Deborah J. Briggs, PhD
Abstract: Objective – To evaluate the
humoral immune response of Asian elephants to a primary IM vaccination with either
1 dose or 2 doses of a commercially available inactivated rabies virus vaccine and
evaluate the anamnestic respose to a 1-dose booster vaccination.
Animals – 16 captive Asian elephants.
Procedures – Elephants with no known
prior rabies vaccinations were assigned into 2 treatment groups of 8 elephants;
1 group received 1 dose of vaccine, and the other group received two doses of vaccine
nine days apart. All elephants received one or two 4-mL IM injections of a monovalent
inactivated rabies virus vaccine. Blood was collected prior to the vaccination (day
0) and on days 9, 35, 112, and 344. All elephants received one booster dose of vaccine
on day 344, and a final blood sample was taken 40 days later (day 384). Serum was
tested for rabies virus-neutralizing antibodies by use of the rapid fluorescent
focus inhibition test.
Results – All elephants were seronegative
prior to vaccination. There were significant differences in the rabies geometric
mean titers between the 2 elephant groups at days 35, 112, and 202. Both groups
had strong anamnestic response 40 days after the booster given at day 344.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance –
Results confirmed the ability of Asian elephants to develop a humoral immune response
after vaccination with a commercially available monovalent inactivated rabies virus
vaccine and the feasibility of instituting a rabies virus vaccination program for
elephants that are in frequent contact with humans. A 2-dose series of rabies virus
vaccine should provide an adequate antibody response in elephants, and annual boosters
should maintain the antibody response in this species. (Am
J Vet Res 2006;67:1934-1936) for more information click here
Medical Management of a Corneal Stromal Abcess
in a Female Asian Elephant (Elephas Maximus)
Ellen B. Wiedner, V.M.D., Dipl. A.C.V.I.M., Ramiro Isaza, D.V.M., M.S., Dipl. A.C.Z.M.,
Laurence E. Galle, D.V.M., Dipl. A.C.V.O., Kathleen Barrie, D.V.M., Dipl. A.C.V.O.,
and William Lindsay, D.V.M., Dipl. A.C.V.S.
Abstract: A 47-yr-old female Asian elephant
(Elephas maximus) developed a corneal stromal abscess in her right eye. The elephant
was trained to open her eye for topical ophthalmic therapy, and was treated six
times daily with antibiotics and an antifungal solution for almost 2 months. Nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs were used to control pain, and atropine was applied topically
to dilate the pupil and provide additional comfort. Vascularization of the abscess
began shortly after initiating therapy, and complete resolution was obtained by
7 week. For more information click here
Mirrors as Enrichment for Asian Elephants (Elephas
maximus)
Charles W. Hyatt,
Troy
Metzler, Brian French, and Deborah Fahrenbruck
Abstract: Mirrors were placed in the
activity yards of 15 Asian elephants and responses noted. Although no explicit behaviors
indicating self-recognition were observed, there were no aggressive acts demonstrated.
Significant effects were found showing increased activity levels when examining
time spent looking at mirror and frequencies of reaching for the mirror when compared
to baseline. The active interest toward the mirrors displayed by several of the
animals supports the use of supervised mirror interaction as novel behavioral enrichment
for elephants. For more information
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Behavior of Circus Elephants During Transport
J.L. Williams and T.H. Friend
Abstract: Circuses, zoos, sanctuaries,
and private owners transport elephants for trips lasting from a few hours to several
days. This study used time-lapse video to record the activities of elephants hauled
in semi-trailers and in rail cars. Bouts of lying down, weaving, and standing were
recorded. Video observations of elephants in semi-trailers lasted from 1.7 to 3.8
hours while observations of elephants in rail cars lasted from 40 minutes to 26.3
hours, with shorter observation periods the result of video equipment failure. The
percentage of observed time spent weaving by elephants hauled in semi-trailers ranged
from 4.2% to 93.2%, while elephants hauled in rail cars spent zero to 68.5% of observed
time weaving. While weaving, elephants engaged in activities such as eating, throwing
feed over their back, and looking out windows. Only two elephants, both of which
were transported in rail cars, were observed lying down (2.8 and 4.6% of the observed
time). Occurrence of weaving was highly variable between elephants. Because the
elephants observed in this study engaged in a range of activities while weaving
and were not in a trance-like state, weaving during transport did not appear to
be indicative of poor welfare. For more information
click here