title: Management of bilateral flexural deformity of the metacarpophalangeal joints in three alpaca crias.
abstract: Three neonatal alpacas were treated for MCP flexural deformities. Two crias responded well to conservative therapy using splints made from fibreglass cast material. One cria with severe deformity failed to respond to conservative treatment but recovered satisfactorily after transection of the suspensory ligament in both legs. It seems that mild cases of flexural deformity of the MCP joint in alpaca crias respond well to conservative therapy but that surgical correction may be required in more severe cases. Sequential transection of the structures limiting extension of the MCP joint may result in fewer complications than previously reported techniques.
authors.affiliation: University Veterinary Centre, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Camden, New South Wales.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cashman
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Dart
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: O'Shea
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Hodgson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D002161:Camelids, New World / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005552:Forelimb / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D007596:Joints / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000662:veterinary*; D013165:Splints / Q000662:veterinary*