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1 June 2016 Novel Nonsurgical Approach to Stabilization of Bilateral Pathologic Femoral Fractures in an Egg-laying Maroon-bellied Conure (Pyrrhura frontalis)
Julia S. Shakeri, Teresa L. Lightfoot, Gregory F. Raffa
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

A 2-year-old, egg-laying maroon-bellied conure (Pyrrhura frontalis) was referred for treatment of bilateral femoral fractures believed to be secondary to recent egg laying and nutritional and husbandry deficiencies. On radiographs, all skeletal components were diffusely osteopenic, precluding surgical fixation. A novel device to stabilize the bilateral femoral fractures was manufactured with polyvinyl chloride piping, which braced the bird's feet at the level of the perch and supported its upper body weight via a breast plate, thus maintaining the bird in a physiologically appropriate perching position. The conure was ambulatory and returned to normal function after 3 weeks of external coaptation with this device. After 6 weeks, callus formation was palpable over both fracture sites even though minimal bone remodeling was visible radiographically. This body splint device may present a viable alternative to euthanasia in select cases of bilateral femoral fractures in companion birds.

© 2016 by the Association of Avian Veterinarians
Julia S. Shakeri, Teresa L. Lightfoot, and Gregory F. Raffa "Novel Nonsurgical Approach to Stabilization of Bilateral Pathologic Femoral Fractures in an Egg-laying Maroon-bellied Conure (Pyrrhura frontalis)," Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery 30(2), 179-186, (1 June 2016). https://doi.org/10.1647/2014-040
Published: 1 June 2016
KEYWORDS
Avian
egg-laying
external coaptation
femur
fracture
maroon-bellied conure
pathologic fracture
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