Journal of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
Qassim University, Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 11-17 (January 2017/Rabi II 1438H)
Surgical Treatment of Bilateral Polydactyly in a Camel (Camelus dromedarius).
Madeh. A. Sadan1, 2*
1
Assistant professor of Surgery, Anaesthesiology and Radiology, College of Agriculture and Veterinary
Medicine, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia, P.O Box 51452, Saudi Arabia
2
Department of Surgery, Anaesthesiology and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
South Valley University, Qena 83523, Egypt.
*
Corresponding author: Madeh .A. Sadan
E-mail address: [email protected] (M. A. Sadan).
Tel.: +966 553587677; fax: +2 (0966) 5211223
ABSTRACT. Congenital malformations and defects of the limbs are among the most frequent congenital
anomalies found in humans and animals. The present case report is to describe diagnosis and surgical
treatment of bilateral polydactyly in a dromedary camel. A two-years-old, 250 kg male camel was
admitted for surgical removal of bilateral supernumerary digits associated with the medial aspects of the
metacarpals. Radiographic examination revealed bilateral polydactyly with complete fusion at the midshaft of metacarpal bones. Amputation of the supernumerary digits was performed under sedation with
local infiltration anaesthesia. The follow-up 6 months post-operatively revealed a sound camel without
complications and proper outcome.
Keywords: Camel, Polydactyly, Surgical, Treatment.
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Madeh. A. Sadan
INTRODUCTION
Polydactyly is a congenital anomaly characterised by the presence of one or more
supernumerary digits. This anomaly has been described in man (Clark et al., 2000) and
domestic animals; in cats (Sis and Getty, 1968), dogs (Hansen, 1972), horses (Barber,
1990; Weinhart, et al., 1996), cattle (Vermunt et al., 2000; Bahr et al., 2003), sheep
(Zohre, 2012), llamas (Zapata et al. 2008) and in camels (Ahmed, 2014). Unilateral or
bilateral polydactyly has been reported as a single anomaly or in combination with
other congenital defects (Camon et al. 1990; Talamillo et al. 2005).
A number of different congenital anomalies are known to occur in domestic
animals (Noh et al., 2003). These anomalies are associated with genetic factors
(transgenic, chromosomes), environmental agents (infections, toxins, management,
abnormal fertilization techniques), or a combination of factors (Newman et al. 1999).
Polydactylism is easily diagnosed by clinical examination, but radiographic
examination is necessary to evaluate the extent of the osseous abnormalities
associated with the extra digit, especially if surgical removal is being considered.
The degree of development of the accessory digits varies, but it may be complete,
with a full complement of tendons, ligaments, and bones, including metacarpals and
metatarsals (Zapata et al. 2008).
Surgical removal of the supernumerary digit is recommended to restore
normal limb conformation, thus preventing lameness (Carstanjen et al., 2007).
Polydactyly is rare in the dromedary camel with only two reports of a unilateral and
bilateral cases thus far (Bani-Ismail et al., 1999 and Ahmed, 2014). The purpose of
this case report is to describe the clinical appearance, surgical treatment and
prognosis of bilateral polydactyly in the forelimbs of a dromedary camel.
CASE DESCRIPTION
A two-years-old, 250 kg male camel was referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital,
College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia, for
evaluation of bilateral polydactyly. On admission, the camel appeared to be in good
health. Clinical examination was normal and the camel showed no signs of lameness.
Inspection and palpation of both forelimbs revealed an additional supplementary
mobile foots at the site of MC III at the proximal aspects of both fetlock joints (Fig.
1A), the supernumerary digits had been presented since birth according to the owner
inquiry, and it had increased in size as the camel grew. oblique radiographs of both
metacarpal regions and phalanges revealed a supernumerary digit composed of
proximal, middle and distal phalanges at the mid-shaft of both metacarpus (MC III) of
both forelimbs (Fig. 1B). The supernumerary digits originated from the medial aspects
of the mid-shaft of the third metacarpal bones and extended distally with Cornified
hooves present at their distal ends (Fig. 1A).
Surgical treatment of bilateral polydactyly …
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Surgical technique:
Bilateral amputation of the supernumerary digits was performed at the
owner’s request, the camel was sedated with xylazine hydrochloride (Seton 2%,
Laboratorios Calier, S.A., Barcelona, Spain) at a dose rate of 0.2 mg/kg, IV and was
positioned in right lateral recumbency to operate the right forelimb. The forelimbs
were prepared aseptically from the carpus and distal to the foot pad for surgery.
Local infiltration analgesia was applied around the supernumerary digit using
lidocaine hydrochloride 2% (Norbrook Laboratories, UK). A tourniquet was applied
distal to the carpal joint and a straight incision was performed over the medial aspect
of the right limb. The incision started about 20 cm distal to the carpus, continued
distally up to the supplementary digit, and ended 5 cm distally. The subcutaneous
tissue and fascia was bluntly dissected from the supernumerary digit. Blood vessels
were ligated as they were encountered during the dissection with using braided
coated polyglactin 910 No. 1 (United medical industries Co. Ltd. Riyadh. Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia). The digit was elevated. No tendon or muscle was associated with
it. The supernumerary digit was isolated completely from the third metacarpus
before its amputation. A sterile obstetrical wire was placed under the supernumerary
digit starting distally and proceeding proximally for osteotomy (Fig. 1C). The
surgical site was lavaged with normal saline solution 0.9% before closing the fascia
and subcutaneous tissues in two separate layers using braided coated polyglactin 910
No. 1 (United medical industries Co. Ltd. Riyadh. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), with a
simple continuous suture pattern. The skin was closed with silk No. 2 (United
medical industries Co. Ltd. Riyadh. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) using an interrupted
suture pattern (Figs. 1D, E). The tourniquet was removed, and a full-limb pressure
bandage was placed over the wound. Post-operative radiograph was taken to be sure
that proper removal of the extra digit was performed (Fig. 2). The same procedures
were carried out on the left forelimb after positioning the camel in left lateral
recumbency for amputation of the supernumerary digit by osteotomy.
Postoperative care:
The camel was given postoperative therapy with penicillin-streptomycin
(Pen & Strep, Norbrook Laboratories, UK) at a dose rate of 30,000 IU/kg for the
penicillin and 10mg/kg streptomycin and phenylarthrite at dose rate of 1ml/15 kg
(Vetoquinol S. A., Veterinary pharmaceuticals, France) for 5 days. The camel was
confined to a box for 4 weeks before allowing exercise and to keep the limb
bandaged during the period of stall confinement. Follow-up information obtained 6
months after surgery revealed a completely sound camel. Upon calling of the owner,
the cosmetic appearance of both forelimbs was good, without signs of lameness and
the owner was satisfied with the outcome.
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Madeh. A. Sadan
Fig. 1 (A): Bilateral polydactyly in a 2 year old
male camel (arrows).
Fig. 1 (B): Oblique radiograph of
Polydactyly in a 2 year old male camel
(arrows).
Fig. 1 (C): Intra-operative image of surgical removal
of the supernumerary digit (arrows).
Fig.1 (D): The skin
was closed with
simple interrupted
sutures.
Fig. 1 (E): The amputated extra
digits are seen beside the closed
skin.
Surgical treatment of bilateral polydactyly …
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Fig. 2): Postoperative oblique radiograph showing removal of polydactyly in a 2 year old male camel (arrows).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
Polydactyly is a congenital anomaly that has been described in man and domestic
animals; it has been reported as a single anomaly or in combination with other
congenital defects (Camon et al. 1990; Talamillo et al. 2005). It is rare in the
dromedary camel with only two reports of a unilateral and bilateral cases (BaniIsmail et al., 1999 and Ahmed, 2014) respectively. This malformation can occur as
an isolated anomaly or together with rare developmental or inherited anomalies
(Crowe and Swerczek, 1985; Villagomez and Alonso, 1998). Regarding to the
present case report, the studied camel had no other congenital anomalies and no
hereditary predisposition to polydactyly according to the owner’s knowledge.
The diagnosis of polydactyly is normally based on clinical examination. A
complete radiographic evaluation of the metacarpal and metatarsal regions and
adjacent joints, e.g. the carpus, is necessary to determine possible osseous
abnormalities (Barber, 1990). In the above described case, clinical examination and
palpation of both forelimbs revealed an additional supplementary mobile digit at the
mid-shaft of MC III at the proximal aspects of both fetlock joints. Oblique
radiograph of both metacarpal regions and phalanges revealed that these digits
composed of proximal, middle and distal phalanges at the mid-shaft of both
metacarpus (MC III) of both forelimbs.
Both supernumerary digits of this described camel were medial to the third
metacarpal bones, which was similar to the reported unilateral and bilateral cases
(Bani-Ismail et al., 1999 and Ahmed, 2014). The vast majority of polydactyly in
horses and cattle has been reported to be medial in the forelimbs (Bähr et al. 2003;
Carstanjen et al. 2007).
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Madeh. A. Sadan
Surgical removal of the supernumerary digits is provided to improve
cosmetic appearance and to prevent injury to the digit (McGavin and Leipold, 1975)
but should not destabilize the involved articulation. In the above described case, the
removal of the extra digit and its adherence to MC III and resulted in a good
cosmetic outcome.
The purpose of surgical removal of supernumerary digits in this described
case report is to restore normal limb conformation and to improve the cosmetic
appearance of the limb (Carstanjen et al. 2007). Animals with supernumerary
ectopic limbs and supernumerary digits can survive successfully with normal
locomotion if the surgical excision is performed under proper aseptic conditions and
appropriate postoperative care is taken (Alam et al., 2007), the above described case
report agreed with this matter.
Acknowledgements:
Great appreciation and deepest thanks are offered to the staff members of
Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine,
Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia, for their cooperation.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
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