Biology, Medicine, and Surgery of Elephants

By Murray E. Fowler, Susan K. Mikota

Elephants are possibly the most well-known members of the animal kingdom. The enormous size, unusual anatomy, and longevity of elephants have fascinated humans for millenia. Biology, Medicine, and Surgery of Elephants serves as a comprehensive text on elephant medicine and surgery. Based on the expertise of 36 scientists and clinical veterinarians, this volume covers biology, husbandry, veterinary medicine and surgery of the elephant as known today.

Written by the foremost experts in the fiel
Comprehensively covers both Asian and African elephant
Complete with taxonomy, behavioral, geographical and systemic informatio
Well-illustrated and organized for easy referenceISBN: 978-0-8138-0676-1
565 pages
February 2007, Wiley-Blackwell

Table of Content

Contributors.
Acknowledgments.
Introduction..

Taxonomy, Classification, History, and Evolution of Elephants (Jeheskel Shoshani).
Elephants in Captivity (Blair Csuti).
Laws and Legislation (Denise M. Safranko).
Behavior and Social Life (Bruce A. Schulte).
Husbandry (John Lehnhardt).
Nutrition (Ellen S. Dierenfeld).
Preventive Health Care and Physical Examination (Susan K. Mikota).
Physical Restraint and Handling (Murray E. Fowler).
Chemical Restraint and Anesthesia.
Section I: Chemical restraint ((Murray E. Fowler and Susan K. Mikota).
Section II: General anesthesia (Eugene P. Steffey).
Surgery and Surgical Conditions (Murray E. Fowler).
Infectious Diseases (Murray E. Fowler).
Parasitology (Murray E. Fowler).
Diagnostics (Antemortem).
Section I: General Techniques (Susan K. Mikota).
Section II: Radiology.
Diagnostics (Postmortem) (Richard J. Montali).
Therapeutics (Susan K. Mikota).
Neonatal Care and Hand-Rearing (Karen Emanuelson).
Multi-Systemic Disorders (Murray E. Fowler).
Integument System (Susan K. Mikota).
Musculoskeletal System (Gary West).
Foot Disorders (Murray E. Fowler).
Respiratory System (Ramiro Isaza).
Digestive System (Genevieve A. Dumonceaux).
Endocrine and Immune Systems (Linda J. Lowenstine).
Cardiovascular System (Susan Bartlett).
Hemolymphatic System (Susan K. Mikota).
Reproductive System (Dennis Schmitt).
Reproductive and Diagnostic Ultrasonography (Thomas B. Hilderbrandt).
Reproductive Endocrinology (Janine L. Brown).
Urinary System (R. Eric Miller).
Nervous System (Michele Miller).
Special Senses (Wm. Kirk Suedmeyer).
Chemical, Tactile, and Taste Sensory Systems (L.E.L Rasmussen).
Toxicology (Murray E. Fowler).
Zoonoses and Human Injury (Joel Maslow).
Veterinary Problems of Geographical Concern.
Introduction (Susan K. Mikota and Murray E. Fowler).
Section I: Africa (Jacob G. du Toit).
Section II: India (Jacob V. Cheeran and K. Chandrasekharan).
Section III: Indochina and Bangladesh (Paolo Martelli).
Section IV: Indonesia (Yudha Fahrimal and Retno Sudarwati).
Section V: Malaysia (Vellayan Subramanian).
Section VI: Myanmar (Khyne U Mar).
Section VII: Nepal (Sunder Shrestha and Kamal P. Gairhe).
Section VIII: Sri Lanka (Indira Silva and Ashoka Dangolla).
Conservation (Simon Hedges).
Appendices.
Appendix 1. Abbreviations used in this book.
Appendix 2. Measurement conversion tables.
Appendix 3. Sources for agents used in sedating, tranquilizing, immobilizing, and anesthetizing elephants.
Appendix 4. Toxicology terms, abbreviations, equivalents.
Appendix 5. Elephant vital signs and physiological parameters.
Appendix 6. Glossary of terms associated with elephant feet.
Appendix 7. Weight conversion chart for Asian elephants.
Appendix 8. Conversion between conventional and SI units hematology.
Appendix 9. Conversion between conventional and SI units blood and. fluid chemistry.
Appendix 10. Standards for elephant management and care (AZA).
Appendix 11. Standard guidelines for elephant management (EMA).
Appendix 12. Guidelines for comprehensive elephant health monitoring program (AZA/SSP).
Appendix 13. Quarantine guidelines for elephants (AZA/SSP).
Appendix 14. Recommended elephant pre-shipment guidelines (AZA/SSP).
Appendix 15. Transport guidelines for elephants (AZA/SSP).
Index.

Author Information

Murray Fowler, DVM, is Professor Emeritus of Zoological Medicine at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA. Most recently, he has been a part-time employee of Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey’s Circus. His previous publications include Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine, Fifth Edition (2003); Restraint and Handling of Wild and Domestic Animals (Blackwell Publishing, 1995); Medicine and Surgery of South American Camelids (Blackwell Publishing, 1998);and Biology, Medicine and Surgery of South American Wild Animals (Blackwell Publishing, 2001).
Susan Mikota, DVM, is a co-founder and Director of Veterinary Programs and Research for Elephant Care International, the first nonprofit organization devoted to elephant healthcare. Her previous publications include Medical Management of Elephants (1994) and several book chapters on elephants.

PDF 11.9 MB Download