ISRAEL JOURNAL OF
VETERINARY MEDICINE
Vol. 56 (4) 2001
Case report: ANGULAR LIMB DEFORMITY IN A
GIRAFFE CALF
U. Bargai1 and M. Levinson2
1. Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem..
2. Ein Vered, formerly the Safary park veterinarian, Ramat Gan.
A one-month-old male giraffe calf, born at the Safary Zoological center of Ramat Gan, was noticed
to develop valgus deformity of the right front leg. The center of the valgus was at the carpus (Fig. 1). In
order to decide about the course of treatment, radiography of the leg was undertaken. Seperation of the
calf from the dam was problematic but was achieved by maneuvering two tractors dragging platforms
of hay on the yard. The dam followed the platforms and the calf lagged behind. At third tractor was
than able to separate the dam from the calf, that was restrained.
Radiography was performed in a standing position (Fig. 2). The radiographs revealed valgus
deformity centered at the intercarpal proximal space. All the carpal bones were rounded at their outer
margins, especially the cenral carpal bone (Fig. 3). The deformity had a lateral angle of 8 0 (Fig. 4).
Such an angle at this age has a favorable prognosis.
A diagnosis of angular limb deformity (A.L.D) due to lack of sufficient calcification of the carpal
bones was made. It was therefore decided to cast the leg in a natural position for 2-3 weeks in plaster of
Paris. The calf was anaesthetized by i.m. injection of ketamin-xylazin mixture (each ml contained 100
mg ketamin and 125 mg xylazin, administered to effect) and the plaster of Paris was applied. During its
recovery from the anaesthesia, the calf was manually supported and when fully sound it was released
into the yard. Soon after, the calf was seen at the dam’s side and within a day it was walking well (fig.
5). Three weeks later the separation procedure was repeated and the calf was again anaesthetized. The
cast was removed and new radigraphs were made. These showed complete calcification of the carpal
bones and a marked reduction of the deformity to an angle of 3 0 (fig. 6).
Discussion
Valgus and varus deformity are rare in cattle but are quite common in horses.
Leg deformity in young calves is mostly associated with congenital contraction of the
tendons, whereas in foals other causes had been reported, among which are rapid weight
gain in foals of the heavy breeds to a point that the calcification of the carpal bones is not
strong enough to support their weight and A.L.D appears. It mey be recalled that about 2/3 of
the body weight of most large mammals is supported by the front legs.
The condition of the giraffe calf in this case mey have been also a result of rapid weight
gain, associated with liberal feeding as prevalent in Safari, but usually not available to wild
animals. Thus, the weight of the calf became disproportional to the strength of the not yet fully
calcified carpal bones.
In foals, the recommend treatment is to cast the leg for 2-3 weeks, as was done in this
case. This period enables the process of calcification of the carpal bone so that it is able to
support the weight of the foal.
To the best of our knowledge A.L.D in giraffe has not been reported yet.
Angular limb deformity of the right
front leg.
Fig. 1:
Fig. 2:
Radiography taken in standing position.
Fig. 3:
bones.
Radiograph of the right front carpal
Radiograph of the right front carpal joint taken at t
first visit. Notice the angle between the axes of radius and
metacarpal bones
Fig. 4:
The giraffe calf standing with the Fig. 6: Radiograph of the right front carpal joint taken afte
removal of the plaster of Paris, three weeks after casting.
casted right front leg.
Notice the angle between the axes of radius and the
metacarpal bones.
Fig. 5: