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1 March 2013 SUCCESSFUL MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE-ONSET TORTICOLLIS IN A GIRAFFE (GIRAFFA CAMELOPARDALIS RETICULATA)
Liza I. Dadone, Kevin K. Haussler, Greg Brown, Melanie Marsden, James Gaynor, Matthew S. Johnston, Della Garelle
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Abstract

A 2-yr-old male reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) presented with severe midcervical segmental torticollis upon arrival as an incoming shipment. Despite initial medical management, the giraffe developed marked neck sensitivity, focal muscle spasms, and decreased cervical range of motion. Using operant conditioning to assist patient positioning and tolerance to cervical manipulation, a series of manually applied chiropractic treatments were applied to the affected cervical vertebrae in an effort to restore normal cervical mobility. Laser therapy and cervical range of motion exercises were also used to reduce cervical muscle hypertonicity. The combined application of these nontraditional therapies produced marked clinical improvement. This case highlights the potential benefits of combining traditional medical management with chiropractic treatment and physical therapy techniques for management of severe acute-onset torticollis in a giraffe.

American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
Liza I. Dadone, Kevin K. Haussler, Greg Brown, Melanie Marsden, James Gaynor, Matthew S. Johnston, and Della Garelle "SUCCESSFUL MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE-ONSET TORTICOLLIS IN A GIRAFFE (GIRAFFA CAMELOPARDALIS RETICULATA)," Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 44(1), 181-185, (1 March 2013). https://doi.org/10.1638/1042-7260-44.1.181
Received: 12 February 2012; Published: 1 March 2013
KEYWORDS
chiropractic
Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata
giraffe
low-level laser therapy
physical therapy
torticollis
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