Abstract
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.
Highlights
Pronounced bending of forelegs is a common phenomenon in farm bred blue foxes (Vulpes lagopus) today [1]
How to cite this paper: Korhonen, H.T., Eskeli, P., Huuki, H. and Sepponen, J. (2015) Foreleg Bending in Blue Foxes (Vulpes lagopus) as Evaluated by Radiography
In our previous study [2], we presented data on the effects of ad libitum and restricted feeding with three Ca:P ratio diets on foot welfare in blue foxes
Summary
Pronounced bending of forelegs is a common phenomenon in farm bred blue foxes (Vulpes lagopus) today [1]. The body size of farm-raised blue foxes has dramatically increased. (2015) Foreleg Bending in Blue Foxes (Vulpes lagopus) as Evaluated by Radiography. It is assumed that strong selection of large body size is linked with developmental disorder of bones and joints [3]. This is a common problem, for example, in large size dog breeds [4]-[6]. Foreleg bending has become a potential welfare problem in blue foxes [1]. It is outmost import to understand this problem in more details
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