title: Bovine xenograft application for treatment of a metatarsal nonunion fracture in an alpaca (Vicugna pacos).
abstract: METHODS
  A 15-year-old female huacaya alpaca (Vicugna pacos) was referred because of a non-weight-bearing lameness (4/4) in the left pelvic limb caused by a grade three open metatarsal fracture. The referring veterinarian treated the fracture with conservative management using bandages, but it progressively evolved to a non-union.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinical examination revealed external wounds on the medial and lateral surfaces of the metatarsus. Radiographs confirmed an open, nonarticular, displaced, diaphyseal fracture of the left metatarsus.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cancellous bone was sourced from bovine proximal and distal femur epiphyses, followed by a thermal shock procedure to achieve decellularisation, to produce a xenograft. Open reduction and internal fixation of the fracture using locking plates was performed. Alignment of the fracture fragments was corrected and the xenograft was placed at the debrided fracture site to stimulate and harness osteogenesis in situ. Clinical and radiographic follow-up was performed up to 40 weeks postoperatively. Clinical evaluations revealed that the alpaca gradually increased weight bearing following bandage removal 10 days after surgery. Serial radiographs showed correct alignment of the left metatarsus, progressive bone modelling and, complete bone union at 12 weeks. Ten months postoperatively the alpaca showed no signs of lameness and resumed normal activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For management of a metatarsal non-union, a combination of bovine xenograft application and angular stable internal fixation progressed toward an excellent long-term recovery.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Animal Medicine, Productions and Health , Institute of Veterinary Medicine, University of Padova , Agripolis (Padova) 35020 , Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Longo
authors.affiliation: a Department of Animal Medicine, Productions and Health , Institute of Veterinary Medicine, University of Padova , Agripolis (Padova) 35020 , Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Finotti
authors.affiliation: a Department of Animal Medicine, Productions and Health , Institute of Veterinary Medicine, University of Padova , Agripolis (Padova) 35020 , Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bellini
authors.affiliation: b Department of Biomedical Sciences , Institute of Biology, University of Padova , Padova 35129 , Italy.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zavan
authors.affiliation: a Department of Animal Medicine, Productions and Health , Institute of Veterinary Medicine, University of Padova , Agripolis (Padova) 35020 , Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Busetto
authors.affiliation: a Department of Animal Medicine, Productions and Health , Institute of Veterinary Medicine, University of Padova , Agripolis (Padova) 35020 , Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Isola
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D002161:Camelids, New World; D002417:Cattle; D005260:Female; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D064593:Heterografts / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000473:pathology; D016268:Internal Fixators
keywords: Xenograft; alpaca; bovine bone graft; decellularisation; locking plates; metatarsus; non-union