Veterinary session

The African savannah elephant (Loxodonta africana) is one of the three known elephants belonging to the order Elephantidae. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has placed the species on the Red List and classified it as “critically endangered” as of 2021. Therefore, it is of great importance to protect this species, including the health status of the individuals.

The foot health requires a critical care as elephants are the largest terrestrial animal known to us weighing up to 6,000 kg. Pathological lesions of the feet are one of the main reasons for euthanasia, especially in captive elephants. Proper treatment of the feet requires a deep knowledge of the underlying anatomy, but only limited literature exists due to the small population and the strictly controlled opportunities to use deceased elephants for scientific work.

The Somogy County Kaposi Mór Teaching Hospital, Dr. Baka József Diagnostical and Oncoradiological Centre was provided with the chance to examine a deceased female nineteen-year-old African savannah elephant using CT. A native sequence was obtained and then in total 48 ml of barium based contrast agent was injected into the caudal tibial artery and a subsequent scan was performed. The images were processed with the 3D Slicer software.

A precise 3D model of all bones of the hind foot has been created, providing valuable results such as the discovery of the tarsal sinus and the confirmation of the tarsal canal. Nutritive holes were discovered on calcaneus, talus and metatarsal bones, whose clustering on these bones was previously unknown. In addition, arteries were reconstructed. Even though the arteries of the digits could not be completely reconstructed, and the blood vessels could not be traced to the sole, a bilateral blood supply of the digital cushion was found. Furthermore, the connection of the lateral and medial blood supply was reconstructed and identified as the deep plantar arch.

The aim of this thesis was to create and analyze a multicolored 3D model of the bones and vessels of the hindfoot. The obtained result provides novel anatomical information that can be used as easily accessible educational material for veterinary medicine students, veterinarians, animal caretakers, and anyone interested in improving the treatment of these endangered animals.