Articular Puncture Techniques and
Contrast Arthrography of the Forelimb in Dromedary Camels (Camelus
dromedarius)
Fahd Abdullah Alsobayil,Jamal A Allouch and Ahmed Fathy Ahmed*
Department of
Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine,
Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
*Corresponding author:afahmed1970@gmail.com
Abstract
The
purpose of this study was to establish puncture techniques of the forelimb
joints in dromedary camels. Ten clinically healthy female camels, 6-9 years old,
were used in this study. Two camels were euthanized, preserved with 10% formalin
solution and used to determine the appropriate site/sites for puncturing the
joints. In addition, barium sulfate was intra-articularly injected for contrast
radiography to determine the joint capsule outlines. Joints of the forelimbs
were aseptically punctured in the remaining eight camels. In general, puncturing
of the interphalangeal, fetlock, intercarpal, and radiocarpal joints was very
easy (grade 1) compared to the puncturing of the shoulder and elbow joints
(grade 2). The approaches and puncture techniques were established for each
joint as well as for contrast radiography, and are described in detail. The
approaches for camels are somewhat different from those for horses and cattle.
In conclusion, puncturing and contrast arthrography of the forelimb joints could
be performed in adult dromedary camels and could be of clinical relevance in the
diagnosis and treatment of some joint disorders.