Surgical repair of femoral fractures in New World camelids: five cases (1996-2003)

• Published in: Australian veterinary journal Vol. 85; no. 4; pp. 148 - 152
• Main Authors: Shoemaker, R.W, Wilson, D.G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Melbourne, Australia Blackwell Publishing Asia 01.04.2007
• Subjects: alpaca; alpacas; animal age; Animals; bone fractures; bones; Camelids, New World - injuries; Camelids, New World - surgery; case studies; Female; females; Femoral Fractures - diagnostic imaging; Femoral Fractures - surgery; Femoral Fractures - veterinary; femur; fracture fixation; Fracture Fixation, Internal - methods; Fracture Fixation, Internal - veterinary; Fracture Healing; llama; llamas; Male; males; orthopaedics; Postoperative Complications - epidemiology; Postoperative Complications - veterinary; Radiography; surgery; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0005-0423; 1751-0813
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2006.00099.x

Five New World camelids were admitted to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine between 1996 and 2003 for evaluation of femoral fractures. There were three alpacas and two llamas. Four of the animals were female and three were less than 3 months of age. Fracture configurations consisted of distal physeal fractures (three), a comminuted diaphyseal/metaphyseal fracture, and a transverse diaphyseal fracture. Fractures were diagnosed with a combination of physical examination and radiographs in all cases. All five fractures were repaired with internal fixation and three animals were discharged from the hospital with fractures that healed. One cria underwent successful internal fixation but died from pulmonary oedema during recovery from anaesthesia. Postoperative complications were rare and limited to inadequate fracture stability in one alpaca and prolonged recovery to weight bearing in another. One llama with a comminuted metaphyseal fracture, repaired with a 4.5 mm dynamic compression plate, subsequently had catastrophic failure of the bone 17 days after surgery. Overall the clients were pleased with the outcome of discharged animals. Although femoral fractures are considered rare, they pose a unique opportunity for the large animal veterinarian to successfully achieve fracture union with the aid of internal fixation.