Facilitation of Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) standing immobilization and anesthesia with a sling

An Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) required general anesthesia for orthope dic foot surgery. The elephant was unable to lie down, so it was placed in a custom-made sling, administered i.m. etorphine hydrochloride in the stand ing position, and lowered to lateral recumbency. General anesthesia was mai ntained with isoflurane administered through an endotracheal tube. After su rgery, the isoflurane anesthesia was terminated, with immobilization mainta ined with additional i.v. etorphine. The elephant was lifted to the vertica l position, and the immobilizing effects of etorphine were reversed with na ltrexone. The suspension system and hoist for the sling were designed speci fically for the elephant house.