Download PDF
Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2010; 23(06): 439-443
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-10-01-0009
Brief Communication
Schattauer GmbH

Imaging studies of the hindlimbs of pacas (Cuniculus paca) bred in captivity

F. A. P. Araújo
1   School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, UNESP – Univ. Estadual Paulista, Campus of Botucatu, Department of Veterinary Surgery and Anesthesiology, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
,
S. C. Rahal
1   School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, UNESP – Univ. Estadual Paulista, Campus of Botucatu, Department of Veterinary Surgery and Anesthesiology, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
,
D. P. Doiche
2   School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, UNESP – Univ. Estadual Paulista, Campus of Botucatu, Department of Animal Reproduction and Radiology, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
,
M. R. F. Machado
3   School of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, UNESP – Univ. Estadual Paulista, Campus of Jaboticabal, Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
,
L. C. Vulcano
2   School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, UNESP – Univ. Estadual Paulista, Campus of Botucatu, Department of Animal Reproduction and Radiology, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
,
C. R. Teixeira
1   School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, UNESP – Univ. Estadual Paulista, Campus of Botucatu, Department of Veterinary Surgery and Anesthesiology, Botucatu, SP, Brazil
,
A. O. El-Warrak
4   Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Department of Clinical Sciences, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 25 January 2010

Accepted: 16 May 2010

Publication Date:
19 December 2017 (online)

    Permissions and Reprints

Summary

Objective: To evaluate the hindlimbs of pacas bred in captivity using radiographic and computed tomography (CT) studies.

Animals: Nine mature pacas (Cuniculus paca) 5.9–8.2 kg in body weight.

Methods: Radiographical aspects of the bones of the hindlimbs were evaluated, and the Norberg angle and inclination angle were measured for each hindlimb. Anteversion angle were measured in CT examination.

Results: The bone anatomy of the hindlimb of the paca was similar to that of the guinea pig, apart from two lunulae and a single fabella (lateral) which were observed. The Norberg angle had mean value of 130.56º ±13.81 without any significant difference between testers. Inclination angles ranged from 142.44º ±4.82 to 145.44º ±4.09 by Hauptman’s method, and from 144.94º ±3.13 to 148.22º ±3.25 by Montavon’s method, for right and left hindlimbs respectively. Average values for the anteversion angles measured with CT ranged from 28.56º ±5.56 to 32.91º ± 2.62.

Clinical significance: The data may be used in future studies comparing the paca to other rodent species. In addition, the paca could be used as an animal model in orthopaedic research.

Keywords

Joint angles - rodents - orthopaedics - computed tomography - pelvic limb
 

  • References

  • 1 Smith AC, Fosse RT, Swindle MM. Ethics and Regulations for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. In: Yuehuei HA, Friedman RJ, editors. Animal Models in Orthopaedic Research. Boca Raton: CRC Press 1998; 3-14.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Hette K, Rahal SC, Volpi R. et al. Radiographic measurement of tibial joint angles in sheep. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2009; 22: 204-209.
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Lange RR, Schmidt EMS. Rodentia – Roedores Silvestres (capivara, cutia, paca, ouriço), In: Cubas ZS, Silva JCR, Catão-Dias JA, editors. Tratado de Animais Selvagens. Roca, São Paulo: Medicina Veterinária 2007: gs. 475-491.
    Google Scholar
  • 4 Woods CA, Kilpatrick CW. Infraorder Hystricognathi. In: Wilson DE, Reeder DM, editors. Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. 3rd ed. John Hopkins University Press: Baltimore 2005; 1538: 1600.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Mockrin MH, Bennet EL, LaBruna DT. Wildlife farming: a viable alternative to hunting in tropical forests? 3rd ed. In: Mockrin MH, Bennet EL, LaBruna DT, editors. WCS Working Paper No. 23. New York: Wildlife Conservation Society; 2005: g. 32.
    Google Scholar
  • 6 Nowak RM. Order Rodentia. 6th ed. In: Nowak RM, editor. Walker’s Mammals of the World. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press; 1999: gs. 1243-1714.
    Google Scholar
  • 7 Guimarães DAA, Bastos LV, Ferreira ACS. et al. Reproductive characteristics of the female paca (Agouti paca) raised in captivity. Acta Amaz 2008; 38: 531-538.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Oliveira FS, Canola JC, Machado MRF. et al. Anatomoradiographic description of the appendicular skeleton of paca (Agouti paca). Acta Sci Vet 2007; 35: 83-87.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Hauptman J, Prieur WD, Butler HC. et al. The angle of inclination of the canine femoral head and neck. Vet Surg 1979; 08: 74-77.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Montavon PM, Hohn RB, Olmstead ML. et al. Inclination and anteversion angles of the femoral head and neck in the dog: evaluation of a standard method of measurement. Vet Surg 1985; 14: 277-282.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Nunamaker DM, Biery DN, Newton CD. Femoral neck anteversion in the dog: its radiographic measurement. J Am Vet Rad Soc 1973; 14: 45-48.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Silverman S, Tell LA. Domestic guinea pig (Cavia porcellus). In: Silverman S, Tell LA, editors. Radiology of Rodents, Rabbits and Ferrets: An Atlas of Normal Anatomy and Positioning. St. Louis: Elsevier Saunders; 2005: gs. 105-157.
    Google Scholar
  • 13 Cooper G, Schiller AL. The skeletal system. In: Cooper G, Schiller AL, editors. Anatomy of the Guinea Pig. Cambridge: Harvard University Press; 1975: gs. 17-69.
    Google Scholar
  • 14 Pedersen HE. The ossicles of the semilunar cartilages of rodents. Anat Rec 1949; 195: 1-9.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Walker M, Phalan D, Jensen J. et al. Meniscal ossicles in large non-domestic cats. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2002; 43: 249-254.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Burk RL, Feeney DA. The appendicular skeleton. In: Burk RL, Feeney DA, editors. Small Animal Radiology and Ultrasonography: A Diagnostic Atlas and Text. 3rd ed. St. Louis: Saunders 2003; 477: 606.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Farkas LG, Cheung G. Facial asymmetry in healthy North American caucasians: an anthropometric study. Angle Orthod 1981; 51: 70-77.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar