Page 2 - Clinical Connections - Autumn 2024

RVC RESEARCH STUDY VETERINARY SERVICES RVC.AC.UK

the Equine and Small Animal Orthopaedic and anaesthesia. Radiographs were was already initiated during Dexter’s
teams. Dexter was anaesthetised and obtained after the procedure. The humeral hospitalisation and continued at home. After
positioned in left lateral recumbency. A head had remained in the correct position two months turn-out in a small paddock with
brachial plexus block was performed by the and all implants were intact. a companion, Dexter was turned out with
RVC Anaesthesia and Analgesia team to The Velpeau sling and all skin sutures the remainder of the herd. His owners report
provide additional analgesia. were removed three weeks after surgery that he has made a made a full recovery.
A curved craniolateral incision was made, and Dexter started weight-bearing and Dexter’s case illustrates the value and
extending from the scapular neck to the mid- ambulating immediately. He was discharged strength of teamwork and the use of pooled
diaphysis of the right humerus. The joint from the hospital four weeks after the resources to provide care for all species of
capsule was incised after tenotomy of the procedure. sick and injured animals at the RVC.
infraspinatus tendon. Shoulder reconstruction surgery is more
The humeral head was found to be commonly performed in RVC Small Animal
craniolaterally luxated and was manipulated Referrals and combining the expertise and
back into the glenoid cavity. Cortical screws experience of small animal surgery specialist
and washers were then placed in the centre Professor Meeson and large animal surgery
of the scapular neck and the proximal specialist Dr Bolt resulted in a good outcome
humerus behind the greater tubercle. for Dexter and an enjoyable opportunity to
A tunnel was also created through share ideas and work together.
the greater tubercle, from cranioventral The surgeons were expertly supported by
to caudodorsal. Together they provided nursing teams from both the Equine Referral
the anchorage for the artificial ligament Hospital and the Queen Mother Hospital for
placement – which included three different Animals during the procedure. Anaesthesia
loops of a high-tension dual core artificial in camelids can be very challenging and the
suture. RVC’s Anaesthesia and Analgesia Service
After the joint capsule and overlying facilitated a safe and successful procedure
soft tissues were closed, a dressing was and also provided multimodal analgesia.
placed on the limb, in addition to a Velpeau Dexter’s aftercare after surgery was
bandage. Dexter at the RVC provided by RVC BVetMed rotation students
and training scholars (residents and interns)
Recovery and outcome Physiotherapy, consisting of passive who all enjoyed being involved in this
Dexter recovered uneventfully from surgery flexion and extension of the right forelimb, unusual case.

RVC Research Reveals Need for Industry Standard of Alpaca Care

RVC research into husbandry practices has uncovered a variation Vitamin D supplementation, alpacas can be affected by
in the management of alpacas in the UK and the need to develop vitamin D deficiency, including by developing rickets and bone
industry standard practices to support alpaca welfare. deformities. This was the first research paper to review UK
Alpacas are becoming increasingly popular in the UK but there alpaca owner's Vitamin D supplementation.
has been limited research into husbandry practices. There are The survey revealed a wide range of practices across UK
an estimated 60,000 alpacas across the UK, 45,000 of which are owners, with key findings including:
registered with the British Alpaca Society (BAS) and approximately • 95.7% of respondents vaccinated for clostridial disease
15,000 unregistered. • In general, the axilla area is preferred by owners for
The alpaca husbandry research project was led by newly graduated subcutaneous injection, but large variations exist
vet Abby Middleton, with support from Beth Reilly (RVC Teaching • 77.8% of alpaca holdings use and dispose of their vaccine
Fellow in Small Ruminant Health and Flock Management), Nicola on the day of broaching
Blackie (Senior Lecturer in Production Animal Science) and James • 91.4% of respondents supplemented their alpacas for
Crilly (Lecturer in Small Ruminant Health and Flock Management). Vitamin D but the dose and frequency varied significantly
An online survey was distributed to alpaca owners through the • Smaller holdings were more likely to use oral Vitamin D
BAS newsletter, social media and word of mouth. Alpaca owners products than injectable Vitamin D products
were asked questions about their husbandry and management Research Paper: Middleton A, Blackie N, Crilly JP, Reilly B (2024) ‘Survey
procedures, such as shearing, foot trimming, vaccinating and of current UK alpaca husbandry practices: Vaccination, treatment and
Vitamin D supplementation. supplementation’. Veterinary Record
Away from their native South American climate, and without

For equine referrals, please call: 01707
666297
Email:
equinehospital@rvc.ac.uk

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2 Autumn 2024