The Alpaca Anatomy Initiative: Musculoskeletal lAnatomy Relevant to Lameness and Fracture Repair

Principal investigator:

Jane Manfredi, VMD
Michigan State University
9/1/2020–8/31/2021
$13,864

As alpaca ownership becomes increasingly popular, veterinarians are tasked with treating more advanced musculoskeletal diseases including complex lameness and fractures. Currently, there is no complete detailed description of the musculoskeletal anatomy of the alpaca’s limbs. In particular, veterinarians do not have access to information on muscular origins and attachments, key vasculature and important nervous structures. The objective of this proposal is to create a detailed description of the musculoskeletal anatomy of the alpaca skeleton. The objective will be achieved by detailed dissection and skilled anatomical illustration combined with digital images and 3D computed tomography (CT; CAT scan) reconstruction. This information will be essential to veterinarians evaluating and treating complex lameness cases as well as to surgeons performing fracture repair.