Mustonen, A., Lawier, D., Ahola, L., Koistinen, T., Jalkanen, L., Mononen, J., Lamidi, M., Nieminen, P. (2017). Skeletal Pathology of Farm-Reared Obese Juvenile Blue Foxes (Vulpes lagopus). test, 10(2), 51-74. doi: 10.21608/jva.2017.45445
Anne-Mari Mustonen; D. F. Lawier; Leena Ahola; Tarja Koistinen; Liisa Jalkanen; Jaakko Mononen; Marja-Leena Lamidi; Petteri Nieminen. "Skeletal Pathology of Farm-Reared Obese Juvenile Blue Foxes (Vulpes lagopus)". test, 10, 2, 2017, 51-74. doi: 10.21608/jva.2017.45445
Mustonen, A., Lawier, D., Ahola, L., Koistinen, T., Jalkanen, L., Mononen, J., Lamidi, M., Nieminen, P. (2017). 'Skeletal Pathology of Farm-Reared Obese Juvenile Blue Foxes (Vulpes lagopus)', test, 10(2), pp. 51-74. doi: 10.21608/jva.2017.45445
Mustonen, A., Lawier, D., Ahola, L., Koistinen, T., Jalkanen, L., Mononen, J., Lamidi, M., Nieminen, P. Skeletal Pathology of Farm-Reared Obese Juvenile Blue Foxes (Vulpes lagopus). test, 2017; 10(2): 51-74. doi: 10.21608/jva.2017.45445

Skeletal Pathology of Farm-Reared Obese Juvenile Blue Foxes (Vulpes lagopus)

Journal of Veterinary Anatomy
Article 4, Volume 10, Issue 2, 2017, Pages 51-74    PDF (998.6 K)
Document Type: Original Article
DOI: 10.21608/jva.2017.45445
Authors
Anne-Mari Mustonen1; D. F. Lawier* 2; Leena Ahola3; Tarja Koistinen4; Liisa Jalkanen5; Jaakko Mononen6; Marja-Leena Lamidi7; Petteri Nieminen8
1University of Eastern Finland, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine/Anatomy, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland &
2Illinois State Museum, Research and Collections Center, 1011 East Ash St., Springfield, IL 62703, USA
3niversity of Eastern Finland, Faculty of Science and Forestry, Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland
4University of Eastern Finland, Faculty of Science and Forestry, Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland &Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Green Technology, Halolantie 31A, FI- 71750, Maaninka, Finland
5Punaturkki Veterinary Clinic, Satamakatu 20, FI-70100, Kuopio, Finland
6Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Green Technology, Halolantie 31A, FI- 71750, Maaninka, Finland
7University of Eastern Finland, Faculty of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland
8University of Eastern Finland, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine/Anatomy, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland
Abstract
Orthopedic abnormalities of farm-reared blue foxes (Vulpes lagopus) have increased recently, creating new concerns about their welfare. Therefore, skeletal condition of obese juvenile blue foxes was evaluated for relationships to degree of obesity. Two pilot study groups included less obese foxes (N = 5) and more obese foxes (N = 5); the latter group had visible carpal joint laxity and locomotor deficits. The principal aims were to examine forelimb deformities snd abnormal locomotion in light of degree of obesity. Overt and incipient (mild or developing) vvpathology were prevalent and reflected degree of obesity. It is likely that genetic selection and feeding practices were primary underlying problems, but disrupted mineral nutrition and housing practices may have been involved as well. These observations underscore the importance of new actions and additional studies of breeding, nutrition, and housing practices, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the welf are of farmed foxes.
Keywords
Blue fox; Obesity; Radiography; skeletal pathology; Vulpes lagopus
Statistics
Article View: 583
PDF Download: 394