Antebrachial Fractures in Four Captive Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus)

Abstract

Internal fixation of antebrachial fractures is feasible and reasonably well tolerated in captive polar bears.

Characterization of a pancreatic islet cell tumor in a polar bear (Ursus maritimus)

“…Interestingly, these changes were also observed in elderly human and Alzheimer's disease (Uchida et al, ). The average life span of polar bear is approximately 23 years in the Arctic (Sonne, ) and up to 30 years in captivity (Lin et al, ). Our findings indicate that the 25‐year‐old polar bear suffered from age‐related degenerative conditions including neoplasia, cardiac fibrosis and renal sclerosis.…”

Femoral Fracture Repair Using a Locking Plate Technique in an Adult Captive Polar Bear (Ursus Maritimus)

“…An association with vitamin D deficiency has been questioned because of reports of metabolic bone disease in juvenile polar bears and subnormal vitamin D concentrations in captive polar bears 1,5 . In 1 study, 7 of 11 polar bears with fractured long bones had subnormal (<135 nmol/L) or low (143 nmol/L) vitamin D levels for captive and free‐ranging polar bears (reference interval, 135–870 nmol/L), 5 suggesting an association between fractures and decreased bone mineral density 1 . Other causes found in abnormal bone development in hand‐raised polar bears include hypovitaminosis A, hypervitaminosis A, and taurine deficiency leading to decreased vitamin D absorption 6 .…”

“…Other causes of implant failure in cases of comminution include devascularized bone fragments and small fracture gaps caused by unsuccessful reduction and stabilization 8 . Sequelae may also include osteoarthritis, which can compromise breeding soundness 1,19 . Other than a temporary decreased range of motion in the stifle, no further complications have been observed.…”

“…LONG BONE fractures are not uncommon in polar bears; 19 long bone fractures were reported in 12 bears between 1974 and 2002 1 . Most were antebrachial fractures, which had the best prognosis for repair using internal or external fixation.…”

Rickets in Polar Bear Cubs: Is There a Lesson for Human Infants?

“…The main features of metabolic bone disease are single or multiple fractures following trivial falls (20 fractures in 14 captive bears), and radiologic evidence of rickets, such as widening and fraying of the metaphysis [3,9,10] . Serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations are variable, but alkaline phosphatase activity is extremely high ( 1 3,000 IU/l) [3] .…”