Objective: To report management of a chronic slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) in an alpaca using cementless total hip replacement (THR).
Study design: Case report.
Animal: An 18-month-old, 47 kg alpaca male.
Methods: Cementless THR was performed in an alpaca with a chronic, right SCFE, and secondary osteoarthritis. Force plate gait analysis was performed before and 8 weeks after surgery. Outcome was determined through clinical evaluation, radiography, and force plate gait analysis.
Results: Cementless THR resulted in marked improvement in the alpaca's comfort level, degree of lameness, and range of motion. On preoperative force plate gait analysis there was decreased contact time (P=.01) and vertical impulse (P<.01) of the affected limb, whereas at 8 weeks postoperatively significant differences in gait analysis between pelvic limbs were not apparent.
Conclusion: THR using a BioMedtrix canine cementless modular prosthesis restored hip function in an alpaca with coxofemoral osteoarthritis from chronic SCFE.
Clinical relevance: THR may be an appropriate treatment for selected traumatic and degenerative conditions of the coxofemoral joint in alpacas.