SURGICAL AFFECTIONS IN FREE RANGING AND CAPTIVE WILDLIFE OF ASSAM WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ELEPHANTSSURGICAL AFFECTIONS IN FREE RANGING AND CAPTIVE WILDLIFE OF ASSAM WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ELEPHANTS
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Date
2021-03
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College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati
Abstract
In the present study, data was recorded regarding the surgical affections encountered in free-ranging and captive wildlife of Assam, with special reference to Asian elephants and the incidence was calculated according to species, place, age and sex. A systematic record of the treatment schedule followed was maintained and samples were collected from elephants to conduct bacteriological, haematological and biochemical studies. A total of 674 wild animals were studied for the presence of surgical affections. Of these, 149 animals were found to be affected, therefore reflecting the incidence of surgical affections in wild animals at 22.11 per cent. The incidence of surgical affections in mammalian and avian species was relatively similar at 22.30% and 23.08%, respectively and the incidence in reptilian species was much lower at 11.77%. Among all mammals, the highest incidence of surgical affections was seen in Asiatic Lion, Golden Cat, Pig-tailed Macaque and Capped Langur at 100%. Surgical affections were also noted in other species such as Four-horned Antelope (88.34%), Golden Langur (71.43%), Blue Bull (70%), Greater One-horned Rhinoceros (62.50%), Jungle Cat (57.15%), Black Panther (50%), White Tiger (50%), Stump-tailed Macaque (42.86%), Hoolock Gibbon (42.86%), Bengal Tiger (33.34%), Asian Elephant (29.52%), Slow Loris (28.58%), Asiatic Brush-tailed porcupine(25%), Small Indian Civet (25%), Common Leopard (21.74%), Common Palm Civet (14.29%), Jackal (11.12%), Himalayan Black Bear (10%), Sambar Deer (7.57%), Indian Mouse Deer (6.67%), Barking Deer (6.56%) and Leopard Cat (5.27%). In Aves, the incidence of surgical affections was highest in Slender-billed Vulture (100%), followed by Lesser Adjutant Stork (80%), Egyptian Vulture (50%), Indian Pied Hornbill (50%), Greater Adjutant Stork (36.37%), Emu (33.34%), Indian Peafowl (25%), Himalayan Griffon Vulture (9.09%), and Great White Pelican (3.85%). Whereas, in reptilian species, the incidence was 14.28% in Common Indian Monitor 10% in Indian Soft-shelled Turtle species. The occurrence of surgical affections was higher in males (24.81%) as compared to females (21.69%). Among all species, 12 types of surgical affections were seen, with the highest incidence in open wounds (16.77%), followed by leg/foot affections (1.93%), cutaneous myiasis (1.48%), closed wounds (1.48%), fracture (0.89%), ocular affections (0.59%), growths (0.3%), paraphimosis (0.3%), navel ill (0.3%), umbilical hernia (0.15%), posterior paralysis (0.15%) and postpartum bleeding (0.15%). When considering cases of only Asian elephants, a total of 166 elephants were examined under the present study, and the total incidence of surgical affections was 29.52%. Concerning spatial distribution, the incidence of surgical affections among 103 captive - Forest Department elephants and 22 free-ranging wild elephants was 22.34% and 18.19%, respectively. The highest incidence of surgical affections was noted in the 41 captive privately owned elephants - 53.66%.
When considering age, the highest incidence of surgical affections was seen in the age group 31 - 40 years (84.21%), followed by the age group 41 - 50 years (71.43%) which constituted working Elephants. The overall sex-wise incidence of surgical affections was noted to be higher in females (67.35%) than males (32.66%). Individually, however, the higher incidence was noted in captive male elephants belonging to the Forest Department (26.20%) and free-ranging wild male elephants (30.77%). Conversely, in the case of captive privately owned elephants, a higher incidence of surgical affections was recorded in females (56.76%). Among affected Asian Elephants, seven types of surgical affections were recorded. In reference to types of surgical affections, the highest incidence was seen in cases of open wounds (43.37%) followed by closed wounds (10.84%), leg /foot affections (10.84%), ocular affections (3.61%), paraphimosis (1.2%), growths (1.2%) and umbilical hernia (1.2%). Standard therapeutic regimens adopted in all cases of surgical affections yielded positive results. The duration of treatment was highest in Asiatic Lion (Pantheraleoleo) at an average of 58 days, followed by Asian Elephant (Elephasmaximus) at 27 days. All other species required 1-15 days of treatment depending upon the severity of surgical affection. Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Pseudomonas, Escherichia coli,Klebsiella and Enterobacter species were the most commonly isolated species. Out of 24 Staphylococcus isolates, 15 were coagulase positive. The Antibiotic sensitivity pattern indicated the highest effectiveness of Ceftriaxone and Tazobactam and Enrofloxacin, followed by Ciprofloxacin. The haematological profile reflected elevated levels of neutrophils and monocytes, and a decrease in haemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell (RBC), packed cell volume (PCV) and lymphocyte levels. Serum chemistry indicated a mild increase in SGPT, Total Bilirubin, Glucose values and a significant increase in BUN.