Abstract
Hypertrophic osteopathy is a syndrome characterized by painful distal limb swelling and periosteal proliferative reaction, typically of the metacarpal and metatarsal bones and phalanges.3 Lesions are often bilaterally symmetric and affect all four limbs.12 While primarily observed in dogs and people, several cases have been reported in exotic ruminants.2,4,6,8 Hypertrophic osteopathy is frequently associated with primary intra-thoracic disease, but this condition has also been reported secondary to intra-abdominal and intra-pelvic disease.5,9,10 The syndrome has also been associated with pregnancy in both people and horses.1,7 Over a 20-year period, five adult female Sichuan takin (Budorcas taxicolor tibetana), with 13 total pregnancies, were evaluated for lameness and distal limb swelling. Clinical signs were observed between 2 and 32 days (mean=18.6 days) prior to parturition (gestation period in takin approximately 220 days)11 and resolved in all animals following birth. Lameness and limb swelling resolved between 8 and 168 days (mean=39.1 days) after birth. Fifteen radiographic examinations, from four individuals, showed periosteal proliferative reaction, primarily of the metacarpal bones, metatarsal bones, and phalanges. Serial radiographs in three takin showed resolving periosteal reaction following parturition. The clinical progression, resolution of signs, and radiographic findings in these cases are consistent with hypertrophic osteopathy, secondary to pregnancy. This is the first report describing presumptive hypertrophic osteopathy in takin.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Dr. Andrea Aplasca for her assistance with this project.
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