Clinical and pathological findings in giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) with arterial thrombotic disease

Two adult female giraffes ( Giraffa camelopardalis ) from separate facilities were diagnosed with arterial thrombotic disease. The first giraffe presented with acute severe unilateral hindlimb paralysis. Infrared thermography revealed a marked temperature decrease compared to the contralateral limb starting from the mid‐thigh region, indicative of femoral artery thrombosis or thromboembolism. Despite attempted anticoagulant therapy and supportive care, the giraffe did not survive. The second giraffe showed no antemortem clinical signs of arterial thrombotic disease, but was diagnosed with partially occluding iliac artery thrombosis at the postmortem examination. The aetiology of the thrombi in both cases remains undetermined, although altered arterial haemodynamics due to underlying conditions are the suspected contributors. These cases highlight that arterial thrombotic disease can occur in captive giraffes. Managing this condition presents unique challenges due to the species' anatomical, physiological and behavioural characteristics. Special attention should be given to the aorta and its main embranchments during postmortem examinations, when the cases are subclinical.