Extraction of an infected tusk in an adult African elephant |
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| Authors: | M Briggs M Schmidt D Black R Roach J Opdahl G Stark D Owens M Driver |
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| Institution: | Wildlife Safari, Winston, OR 97496-0231. |
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| Abstract: | An 18-year-old African elephant was determined to have a nonrepairable crack in its left tusk. Treatment included extraction of the tusk, using rotational and extractional forces, and administration of antibiotics, followed by 1 year of flushing the opened tusk cavity with warm tap water. Two years after surgery, the elephant was healthy, and the tusk cavity was 80% filled with normal tissue. |
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