Pigmented villonodular synovitis in a Reticulated giraffe (giraffa camelopardalis)
A 17-yr-old, female, captive-born reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) presented with acute-onset lameness of the right metacarpophalangeal (fetlock) joint. Despite multiple courses of treatment, the lameness and swelling progressively worsened over a 3.5-yr period, and the giraffe was euthanized. At necropsy, gross and microscopic changes in the right, front fetlock and associated flexor tendon sheath included […]
Clinical conditions found radiographically in the front feet of Reticulated giraffe (Giraffe Camelopardalis reticulata) in a single zoo
Front foot radiographs from 22 giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) at one zoo were analyzed to better understand causes of lameness in this giraffe population. The herd had a history of front hoof overgrowth and intermittent lameness. Radiographic findings included distal interphalangeal joint osteoarthritis (OA), distal phalangeal bone (P3) osteitis, P3 fractures, P3 rotation, and sesamoid […]
Fancy Footwork: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s Giraffe Herd Trains for Farrier Work and X-rays
Nearly eighty percent of all giraffe sedation procedures are related to foot care. Most of the knockdowns are done once the giraffes display clinical signs of lameness, hoof overgrowth, abscesses, or swelling. Statistics show that ten percent of giraffes put under anesthesia do not make it through the procedure. These alarming statistics demonstrate the necessity […]
Arthroscopic surgery in a reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata)
An 8-month-old captive male reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) developed an acute lameness (grade IV/V) of the right forelimb, with swelling of the metacarpophalangeal joint. A traumatic injury was suspected based on clinical, radiographic, and arthroscopic evaluation. Several abnormalities were identified arthroscopically, including synovitis, cartilage damage, and an osteochondral fragment. Medial collateral ligament damage was […]
Diagnosis and treatment of a fractured third phalanx in a Masai giraffe (Giraffe camelopardalis tippelskirchi)
A 10 yr old male Masai giraffe (Giraffa 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 […]
Training giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) for front foot radiographs and hoof care
For a large herd of reticulated giraffes, a mainly operant-based training program was created for front foot radiographs and hoof trims in an effort to diagnose and better manage lameness. Behaviors were shaped in a restricted contact set-up, using a positive reinforcement procedure to teach a series of mastered cued behaviors. This training was used […]
Osteochondrosis in the distal femurs of an adult reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata): Macroscopic, radiologic, and histologic findings
An adult male reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) was presented for postmortem examination. During radiologic examination of the hindlimbs, osseous cyst-like lesions were detected in both medial femoral condyles. These lesions were subsequently examined macroscopically and histologically. The gross appearance suggested a diagnosis of bilateral osteochondrosis that was confirmed with histopathologic examination. This finding has […]
Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) Arthropathy: Post-mortem computed tomogrpahy, gross pathology and histopathologic findings
An abstract on post-mortem findings of a female giraffe with chronic intermittent lameness and tendonitis of the fetlock joint.
Anatomic description and pathologic findings of chronic foot rot with severe secondary osteomyelitis in a Rtohschild’s giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi)
An abstract on chronic lameness in a Rothschild’s giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi) that was a result of ulcerative pododermatitis and laminitis.
Osseous cyst-like lesions in a 15 year old Rothschild’s giraffe (Giraffa camelopardis rothschildi)
Osseous cyst-like lesions (OCLLs) are commonly reported in equines (Watkins, 1999).They are uncommon in ruminants (Tyron and Farrow, 1999) and have never been documented in a giraffe. The aetiopathogenesis of OCLLs has not yet been conclusively determined. Currently there are two hypotheses; defective endochondral ossification or, that cyst development follows mechanical trauma in joints with […]