Flaccid trunk paralysis with atrophy in an Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) - A case study

A 55 year old male elephant was reported to have developed paralysis of distal one third of the trunk over a period of six years. The elephant was said to be recumbent for about a month before it collapsed. Detailed necropsy was conducted. Histopathological studies revealed atrophy and necrosis of groups of muscle fibres of the trunk, connective tissue proliferation, shortening and hyalinization of groups of muscle fibres and intramuscular lipidosis. Other histopathological observations included diffuse sinusoidal congestion in liver, wide spread congestion and haemorrhages in the kidney.