Diagnosis and treatment of a fractured third phalanx in a Masai giraffe (Giraffe camelopardalis tippelskirchi).
A 10-yr-old male Masai giraffe (Giraffe camelopardalis tippelskirchi) presented with acute right forelimb lameness. Radiographs revealed a fracture of the medial claw of the distal phalanx penetrating into the distal interphalangeal joint. The giraffe was sedated while it was standing in a chute, and a wooden "hoof block" was applied to the lateral claw of the same limb. The animal was no longer lame 3 days after the procedure. Subsequent treatments included vitamin E, phenylbutazone, and glycosaminoglycans. For 7 wk it was maintained in a small holding yard on packed sand during the day and on deep sand during the night. The hoof block slowly wore down, and at 7 wk, it was placed back on concrete in the evening. At 8 wk, the block had completely worn off and the animal was no longer lame, but radiographs indicated minimal fracture healing. Radiographs performed at 7 mo indicated that there was still a radiolucent zone at the fracture line but calcification was evident at the margins of the fracture.
Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence, Rhode Island 02907, USA.
S B
SB
James
K
K
Koss
J
J
Harper
J
J
Martin
D000820:Animal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D000818:Animals; D001188:Artiodactyla; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D006724:Hoof and Claw / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography