A report on cyathostomes recovered from a wild Asian elephant in Nilambur, Kerala

Roundworms recovered from the gastrointestinal tract of a debilitated three- year-old elephant calf from the Karulai range of the Nilambur Forest Station were identified as Murshidia falcifera, Quilonia travancra, and Decrusia additicta based on adult worm morphology. These strongyle nematodes are known to cause protein-losing gastroenteropathy. In young elephants, heavy infections can lead to hypoalbuminemia, anaemia, enteritis, severe debilitation and may ultimately result in death.