Shanthi is a 9,000-pound Asian elephant that lives at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C. Now in her 40s, Shanthi is suffering from arthritis and needs regular checkups by the zoo’s veterinarians. A recent checkup was filmed and involves the zoo’s veterinary team evaluating Shanthi to check the progression of her arthritis as well as to look for infection. Take a look: </center> Shanthi’s foot was X-rayed and the veterinary team found that her infection had not spread, but was localized to one area. Even though they were relieved, the veterinarians will continue to monitor her health. At this time they are treating her infection with topical disinfectants and microbials. The team is also helping her exercise to reduce the impact of the arthritis, The Telegraph reports. Born in Sri Lanka around 1975, Asian elephant Shanthi developed arthritis in her front-left leg more than a decade ago.... Posted by Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 Have you ever had to do a checkup on a such a large animal? Share your story in the comments.
