Tonbun and the Tiny Trouble on His Eyelids

I could smell trouble before anyone even said a word. Not the big kind of trouble – like when an elephant arrives with a foot abscess or a nasty colic – but the small kind. The sort of trouble that makes the vets tilt their heads and say “hmm,” while I sit a sensible distance from them but with my tail thumping and always ready to supervise if asked! Earlier that morning, the phone rang in the office. I pricked my ears. A mahout from Khaolak was calling about Tonbun, a young twoyearold bull elephant. I hadn’t met Tonbun before but I had no doubt he would be a sweet lad, still figuring out how his trunk works, and with a love of bananas. His owner had spotted little pimples (the vets called them pustules) on Tonbun’s eyelids and was worried. That is a sign of a caring mahout. I like him already.

Within hours, Tonbun arrived at our hospital, blinking those big gentle eyes at me. I trotted over to greet him – professionally, of course. I’m the hospital dog afterall. I have standards but for safety I am not allowed to get too close.

The Examination (as witnessed by one very attentive dog)

The vets gathered around, and I took to my usual viewpoint position. Tonbun stood calmly while the team examined him. He did have to be tethered for that – it sounds unkind but it is a safety essential – even 2 year old bull elephants can be unpredictable – sudden movements can injure those close by as well as the patient. Even from a distance, I could see the lesions – tiny raised bumps, one on the right eyelid and two on the left. They didn’t look angry or swollen. There was no heat and no redness. When the vets got near there was no flinching from Tonbun – it was like he knew they were trying to help him. He even tried to nudge the vet gently with his trunk, which I took as a sign he was feeling just fine.
The vets gently pressed the bumps and collected a little smear of the discharge. I won’t lie – I raised my nose for an air sniff at that point – that’s a dog thing you understand!
Later, I found out that the laboratory microscope confirmed what the vets suspected: They called it a localized bacterial infection—an external hordeolum. I think humans call it a stye. I call it “a tiny trouble with a fancy name.” Dogs can get them too you know.

The Treatment Plan
Tonbun didn’t need anything dramatic — just good, careful care. Here’s what my humans did:

 Applied warm compresses to soothe the eyelids
 Cleaned the area with sterile saline and gauze
 Added ointment to fight the infection (chloramphenicol ophthalmic)
 Started medication by mouth once a day for seven days (cephalexin)

Tonbun behaved beautifully throughout the examination. I sat patiently observing him, offering moral support and the occasional encouraging wag. I never bark when elephants are around! His mahout listened closely as the vets explained what to watch for: ie more swelling, itching, discharge, or any change in behaviour. (If elephants had eyebrows, I am sure Tonbun would have raised his at the word “itching” – they love a good scratch)

My Thoughts on the Matter (from a dogs perspective of course)

Some cases are dramatic. Some are heartbreaking but some – like Tonbun’s – are reminders of why Southern Thailand Elephants Foundation exists. A worried owner. A young elephant with a small but important problem. A team ready to help, without judgement, without hesitation. And me – Nam Tarn -the custodian of the hospital kennel, keeping watch, making sure everyone feels safe. Tonbun left with brighter eyes and a happier mahout. I watched as the lorry slowly and carefully negotiated the hill down to the main gate. I continued to way my tail until it went far into the distance because that is what a good hospital dog does. And as they headed back toward Khaolak, I thought that even tiny troubles deserve
big care and boy do they get that here at the hospital and what is more that service is enabled entirely through the generosity of humans given funds! Wherever you are in the world – thank you for caring for STEF’s four legged friends – big and small!

Look out for my future “tail” until the next patient arrives,

Nam Tarn Official Chief Sniffer and Visitor Greeter
STEF Elephant Centre