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Imaging studies of the hindlimbs of pacas (Cuniculus paca) bred in captivity
F A P Araújo1, S C Rahal, D P Doiche
1Department of Veterinary Surgery and Anesthesiology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), PO Box 560, Rubião Júnior s/n, Botucatu, SP, 18618-000 Brazil. fabioandre@fmvz.unesp.br
Objective:
To evaluate the hindlimbs of pacas bred in captivity using radiographic and computed tomography (CT) studies.
Animals:
Nine mature pacas (Cuniculus paca) 5.9-8.2 kg in body weight.
Methods:
Radiographical aspects of the bones of the hindlimbs were evaluated, and the Norberg angle and inclination angle were measured for each hindlimb. Anteversion angle were measured in CT examination.
Results:
The bone anatomy of the hindlimb of the paca was similar to that of the guinea pig, apart from two lunulae and a single fabella (lateral) which were observed. The Norberg angle had mean value of 130.56º ± 3.81 without any significant difference between testers. Inclination angles ranged from 142.44º ± 4.82 to 145.44º ± 4.09 by Hauptman's method, and from 144.94º ± 3.13 to 148.22º ± 3.25 by Montavon's method, for right and left hindlimbs respectively. Average values for the anteversion angles measured with CT ranged from 28.56º ± 5.56 to 32.91º ± 2.62.
Clinical Significance:
The data may be used in future studies comparing the paca to other rodent species. In addition, the paca could be used as an animal model in orthopaedic research.
