Foreleg Bending in Blue Foxes (<i>Vulpes lagopus</i>) as Evaluated by Radiography

• 作者: Hanna Huuki Hannu T. Korhonen Juhani Sepponen Pekka Eskeli
• 来源期刊: 兽医学(英文)
• 学科: 医学
• 关键词: VULPES lagopus Foot WELFARE Moving Difficulties FEET BENDING Blue Fox
• 年，卷（期）: 2015,（3）
• 页码范围: 61-67
• 页数: 7页
• 分类号: R73

摘要

The aim was to compare radiographic X-ray data to foreleg bending, moving difficulties and body size in juvenile blue foxes. Experimental groups were: 1) restricted feeding, Ca:P ratio 1.5:1 (R 1);2) restricted feeding, Ca:P ratio 2.9:1 (R 2);3) restricted feeding Ca:P ratio 2.0:1 control level (R 3);4) ad libitum feeding, Ca:P ratio 1.5:1 (AL 1);5) ad libitum feeding, Ca:P ratio 2.9:1 (AL 2);6) ad libitum feeding Ca:P ratio 2.0:1 control level (AL 3). Moving difficulties and foreleg bending were evaluated in live animals. At pelting, left foreleg was removed. X-ray pictures were taken from lateral views. Dimensions of ulna and radius were measured from the X-ray pictures. Conditions of carpal joint and elbow joint were visually evaluated. The results showed that final body weight was affected by feeding intensity (P = 0.001). Ad libitum fed animals had more moving difficulties compared to restricted ones (P = 0.001). The Ca:P ratio tended (P = 0.06) to have an effect on feet bending. Bending was greatest in low Ca:P ratio (1.5:1) and, correspondingly, least in high Ca:P ratio (2.9:1). Moving difficulties were most common in heaviest animals. The moving difficulties tended (P = 0.07) to be positively related to feet bending. Maximum width of ulna was lowest in low Ca:P ratio diet (1.5:1). Bending was negatively correlated with maximum width of ulna. It can be concluded that low Ca:P ratio in the diet (1.5:1) increases foreleg bending in juveniles. Moving difficulties are related to foreleg bending and high body weight.