A Novel Treatment for Subsolar and Digital Abscesses Utilizing an Epoxy Patch System Paired with Antimicrobial Wound Sponges in Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus)
Abstract
Foot abscesses are reportedly the single most significant ailment of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in captivity.1 Conventional treatment methods recommend debridement of all affected tissue, soaking, and topically applied medications.1 Protective boots and wraps have been used with limited success.1,3 In this study, five chronic foot abscesses in female Asian elephants were successfully treated with a novel therapeutic approach, resulting in full resolution in 4/5 cases (Table 1).
Table 1. Chronic foot abscess treatment and resolution in five female Asian elephants
|
Signalment
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Abscess location
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Initial abscess size (diameter)
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Duration prior to epoxy patch
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Resolution time with epoxy patch therapy
|
|
70 yr
|
RF sole
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10 cm
|
18 mo
|
13 mo
|
|
70 yr
|
LF sole
|
12 cm
|
20 mo
|
15 mo
|
|
50 yr
|
RF digit 3
|
3 cm
|
5+ yr
|
4 mo
|
|
50 yr
|
LF digit 3
|
3.5 cm
|
4 yr
|
3.5 mo
|
|
46 yr
|
RF digit 4
|
4 cm
|
5 + yr
|
Ongoing
|
Treatment steps include cryotherapy-assisted (Kendall AMD foam dressing, Covidien Laboratories Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) debridement of necrotic tissue, placement of an antimicrobial sponge (Verruca Freeze cryosurgery spray, CryoSurgery, Inc. Nashville, TN, USA) in the abscess tract, application of epoxy products (Vettec Adhere Equi-thane, Vettec Inc., Orange, CA, USA and Vettec Sole-Guard, Vettec Inc., Orange, CA, USA) on a rubber patch (i.e., recycled vehicle inner tube) over the affected area, and a second epoxy coating. All animals in the study showed immediate improvement in ambulation following patch application. Patches were maintained for 4–7 days and replaced immediately upon removal. The ease of application, continuous tissue protection, antimicrobial delivery, and increase in comfort make it an excellent option for treatment in challenging foot abscess cases.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Dr. Steven Scott, Director of Veterinary Care at The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, for his compassionate, dedicated service to elephants since 1995, and the elephant caregivers, whose excellent daily work makes individualized veterinary care possible.
Literature Cited
1. Csuti B, Sargent EL, Bechert US. The Elephant’s Foot: Prevention and Care of Foot Conditions in Captive Asian and African Elephants. Ames, IA: Iowa State University Press; 2001.
2. Fowler M, Mikota S. Biology, Medicine, and Surgery of Elephants. Ames, IA: Blackwell Publishing; 2006.
3. Gage LJ, Fowler ME, Pascoe JR, Blasko D. Surgical removal of infected phalanges from an Asian elephant (Elephas maximus). Proc Am Assoc Zoo Vet, Wildl Dis Assoc, Am Assoc Wildl Vet. 1995.