Treatment of radius, ulna and humerus fractures with the aid of a bone morphogenetic protein in a giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)

C. R. A. Ferrigno; F. Futema; D. L. Fedullo; V. Kyan; D. Tabacchi Fantoni; D. C. B. Baccarin; M. A. Romano

doi:10.1055/s-0038-1632778

Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Table of Contents

Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2003; 16(03): 196-199
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1632778

Case Report

Schattauer GmbH

Treatment of radius, ulna and humerus fractures with the aid of a bone morphogenetic protein in a giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)

C. R. A. Ferrigno

¹Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine of University of Sao Paulo, Brazil

,

F. Futema

²Faculty of Veterinary, University Paulista, Sao Paulo, Brazil

,

D. L. Fedullo

³Zoo of Sao Paulo, Brazil

,

V. Kyan

⁴Private Practice, Sao Paulo, Brazil

,

D. Tabacchi Fantoni

¹Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine of University of Sao Paulo, Brazil

,

D. C. B. Baccarin

⁵DVM Koala Animal Hospital, Sao Paulo, Brazil

,

M. A. Romano

⁶Faculty of Veterinary, University Paulista, Sao Paulo, Brazil

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Summary

A giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) was found with closed comminuted fractures on the right radius and ulna and left humerus the duration of which was unknown. The animal was unable to use either of the thoracic limbs. The fractures were stabilized with 3.5-mm titanium plates and a commercially available mixture of micro lyophilized bovine cortical osseous and bovine BMP (Gen-tech^®, Baumer, Brazil) was implanted into the fractures sites. Postoperative radiographic evaluations were performed every 30 days and after four months. Bone healing was observed in all of the fractures. The animal was able to be reintroduced into its natural habitat. From this case we conclude that despite the low metabolic rate of the giant anteater, which is an inherent characteristic of this species, the treatment of radius, ulna and humerus fractures by means of plates and screws, associated with BMP on the Myrmecophaga tridactyla, was a success.

Keywords

Anteater - BMP - fracture

Full Text

References

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