De. Kenny et al., HYPERTROPHIC OSTEOARTHROPATHY IN A BLESBOK (DAMALISCUS-DORCAS-PHILLIPSI), Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine, 28(3), 1997, pp. 319-324
A 4.5-yr-old female blesbok (Damaliscus dorcas phillipsi) was radiogra
phed following the appearance of lameness and swelling of the right fr
ont fetlock. Radiographic interpretation at that time was osteoarthrit
is caused by periosteal proliferation of the right metacarpus with per
iarticular osteophytes surrounding the fetlock. No treatment was initi
ated. Gradual abdominal enlargement over several months was interprete
d as evidence of pregnancy. Six months after the initial lameness comp
laint, the blesbok suddenly collapsed and was unable to stand. Physica
l examination revealed a large firm mass occupying most of the abdomen
that was found to be inoperable. Following exploratory laporotomy, th
e blesbok was euthanized. At necropsy, the mass weighed 17 kg. It had
probably caused the animal's collapse. Histologically, the bony lesion
s of the right metacarpus, seen radiographically at the previous exami
nation, were consistent with hypertrophic osteoarthropathy and may hav
e been a sequela of the intrabdominal mass.