Camelid heat stress: 15 cases (2003-2011).

This case series describes novel findings associated with heat stress in 15 cases in South American camelids that had no pre-existing illnesses and which had clinical signs of illness after exposure to a warm environment. Novel findings include decreased packed cell volume and albumin concentration and mild spinal axonal degeneration. Heat stress should be considered in weak camelids with a history of hyperthermia.

Stress thermique chez les camélidés : 15 cas (2003­2011). Cette série de cas décrit des constatations nouvelles associées au stress thermique dans 15 cas chez des camélidés d'Amérique du Sud qui n'avaient aucune maladie préexistante et qui ont présenté des signes de maladie après l'exposition à un environnement chaud. Les constatations nouvelles comprennent une valeur d'hématocrite réduite et une concentration d'albumine et une légère dégénération rachidienne axonale. Le stress thermique devrait être considéré chez les camélidés affaiblis ayant des antécédents d'hyperthermie.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Effect of flunixin meglumine on the amelioration of lameness in dairy steers with amphotericin B-induced transient synovitis-arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize amphotericin B-induced lameness in cattle and to ascertain the analgesic effects of flunixin meglumine by use of multimodal assessment. ANIMALS: 10 healthy Holstein steers free from musculoskeletal disease. PROCEDURES: Steers were randomly allocated to a treatment or negative control group. Amphotericin B was injected into the distal interphalangeal joint of the lateral claw of the left hind limb of all steers. Treatment steers received flunixin meglumine at the time of synovitis-arthritis induction and at 12 hours after induction. Control steers received no medication. Multimodal analysis included vital parameters, visual lameness score, behavioral monitoring with accelerometers, pressure mat analysis, and plasma cortisol determination before and after induction. Data were analyzed by use of linear mixed models with treatment and time designated as fixed effects, accounting for repeated measures on individual calves. RESULTS: Amphotericin B injection induced moderate, transient lameness. Control steers were more than twice as likely to be lame as treatment steers (mean ± SD lameness score, 92.2 ± 8.1 % vs 40.7 ± 2.5%). Treatment steers placed significantly greater force and contact area on the affected foot and greater force, impulse, and contact area on the paired claw, compared with control steers. Furthermore, treatment steers spent considerably less time in recumbency than controls. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Amphotericin B successfully induced synovitis-arthritis in dairy steers that was transient in nature. Flunixin meglumine was efficacious in providing analgesia for these steers.

Scapulohumeral joint luxation in alpacas: 10 cases (2003-2009).

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical findings, treatments, and outcome in alpacas treated for scapulohumeral joint luxation (SHJL). DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 10 alpacas. PROCEDURES: Medical records of alpacas with SHJL that were treated at 2 referral hospitals were reviewed. History, signalment, physical examination results, radiographic findings, treatments, complications, and outcome were evaluated. RESULTS: Records for 8 male and 2 female alpacas with 16 instances of SHJL were reviewed. Three male alpacas each had 2 recurrences of SHJL in the treated limb. The proportion of male alpacas treated for SHJL was significantly greater than the proportion of female alpacas treated for SHJL. Closed reduction was used in 2 female and 3 male alpacas; SHJL reccurred in the 3 males. Stabilization by use of a lateral extracapsular tension band suture technique was performed successfully in 4 male alpacas; in another male alpaca, reluxation caused by self-inflicted trauma occurred postoperatively. In 2 male alpacas, arthrodesis was performed but residual lameness remained 1 year after surgery. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: SHJL should be considered as a differential diagnosis in alpacas with thoracic limb lameness. Luxation may occur more frequently in males. A closed reduction technique may be used successfully to treat acute luxations. Extracapsular stabilization by use of the lateral extracapsular tension band suture technique was successful for treatment of recurrent SHJL and SHJL that could not be reduced via closed reduction.

Bovine enucleation: A retrospective study of 53 cases (1998-2006).

Medical records of 53 cattle undergoing enucleation (1998-2006) were reviewed. Assessments of the outcomes were done via client surveys. Descriptive statistics were generated on the affected population, the underlying disease, the complications, and the length of retention within the herd. Hereford cattle comprised the majority of the cases (30/53; 57%). Most cattle (84.9%) were diagnosed with ocular squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Follow-up information was available for 22 cattle. Para-orbital infection was documented in 10 of 53 cattle (19%). Five cattle died of various causes 2 months to several years after enucleation. One cow was culled due to recurrence of OSCC. Fifteen cattle were retained within their respective herds. This study documents that orbital infections are common, and recurrence of OSCC is infrequent in cattle having undergone enucleation.

Laparoscopic cystotomy for removal of a large bladder polyp in a juvenile alpaca with polypoid cystitis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a method for laparoscopic cystotomy in an alpaca. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. ANIMALS: Female alpaca. METHODS: An 8-month-old female alpaca was admitted with a 6-week history of straining to urinate and vulvar swelling. Transrectal ultrasound examination revealed a 1.5 x 1.5 x 2 cm polyp within the bladder. RESULTS: The mass was excised using laparoscopic cystotomy. Leakage from the cystotomy site resolved over 12 days using a Foley catheter. The alpaca was healthy and urinating normally at 9 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive surgery by laparoscopic cystotomy can be used to remove large urinary polyps in alpacas. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Urinary bladder polyps should be considered as differential diagnosis in alpacas with stranguria.

Total hip replacement in an alpaca using a cementless implant.

OBJECTIVE: To report use of a cementless total hip prosthesis in an alpaca. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. ANIMALS: Alpaca (n=1) with chronic craniodorsal coxofemoral luxation. METHODS: A 2.5-year-old Suri alpaca, 3 months pregnant, was admitted for evaluation of acute onset severe left hind limb lameness (grade 4/5) of 6 weeks duration. After diagnosis of craniodorsal luxation of the left femoral head, total hip replacement (THR) using a cementless implant was performed because of the poor prognosis for reduction of a chronic luxation. RESULTS: A press-fit prosthesis was used and the alpaca delivered a live cria 8 months later. Persistent mild mechanical lameness remained after surgery, with moderate reduction in mobility of the coxofemoral joint. The prosthesis was stable and correctly positioned at 7 weeks and at 9 months. There was mild exostosis surrounding the proximal aspect of the femur at 9 months, and Steinmann pins used to repair the trochanteric osteotomy were removed because of migration. At 1 year, the alpaca has a slight gait abnormality, remains with the herd on pasture and has been re-bred. CONCLUSION: Chronic coxofemoral luxation in an alpaca can be managed by THR. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: THR is a viable treatment option in alpacas with severe coxofemoral disease.

Field surgery of the eye and para-orbital tissues.

Ocular disease and injury remain a common occurrence in cattle. In many instances medical management is sufficient for resolution and amelioration of clinical signs. In selected cases, surgical intervention is required. Fortunately, field surgery remains a viable option for most cases of bovine ocular disease. While the surgical techniques are not new, thorough physical examination, proper preparation of the patient, appropriate perioperative management, and good surgical technique will assure the best results possible.

Use of a circular external skeletal fixator for stabilization of a comminuted diaphyseal metatarsal fracture in an alpaca.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 3-year-old male alpaca was evaluated because of non-weight-bearing lameness (grade 5/5) in the left hind limb. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Clinical and radiographic examination revealed a closed, comminuted, nonarticular, displaced diaphyseal fracture of the left third and fourth metatarsal bones. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Initial attempts at treatment via reduction of the fracture under traction and subsequent application of a cast were unsuccessful, and more stable fracture fixation was pursued. The alpaca underwent closed reduction of the fracture, which was stabilized by the application of a 3-ring circular external skeletal fixator (CESF). Improved weight bearing on the affected limb was evident soon after surgery and gradually increased; full weight bearing was evident by the seventh day after discharge from the hospital (day 20 after application of the CESF). Lameness was hardly noticeable during walking at that time. After 3 months, complete fracture healing was evident and the CESF was removed; mild outward rotation of the distal fragment and metatarsophalangeal joint was present. A Robert Jones bandage was applied to the limb, and the alpaca was kept in a stall for another 4 weeks. Eleven months after CESF application, the owners and referring veterinarian reported that the alpaca was healthy, not lame, and serving as a stallion without apparent impediment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although mostly restricted to small animals, application of a CESF can be a viable alternative for management of long bone fractures in South American camelids.