34th Annual Scientific Meeting proceedings

Camel racing is a centuries-old racing event which has been practiced as a traditional Middle Eastern sport, particularly in the Persian Peninsula countries of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Qatar since Medieval times. Camel races hold an important position in Middle Eastern, particularly the Bedouin, culture and society, initially for social events and celebration and now, in the modern multi-million dollar era, of intense racing competition akin to world flat horse racing. Fractures in racing camels (Arabian camel/Dromedary/Camelus dromedarius) present unique challenges compared to other camelids let alone compared to other domestic species. The skeletal anatomy of the camel has some distinctive characteristics (Smuts Malie & Bezuidenhout, 1987; Wernery et al, 2025). New world camelids (llamas, alpacas, guanacos, vicunas) in general are considered excellent patients for the treatment of orthopaedic injuries because of their relatively low body weight, tolerance of external coaptation devices, ability to ambulate on three legs post-operatively and can tolerate prolonged periods of recembency for recuperation after surgery (Anderson, 2018). The racing camel also shares some of these positive attributes for treating orthopaedic injuries. Traumatic fractures of most parts of the camel’s skeleton have been reported (Ahmed & Al-Sobayil, 2012; Gahlot & Choulan, 1994; Kumar, et al, 2013; Mohammed, A.F. 2012). However, few peer reviewed articles on fixation of these fractures are available in the literature (Gahlot et al, 1982; Gahlot et al, 2010; Gasthuys & Steenhault, 1993; Ramadan, 2016; Ramadan et al, 2016); Squire & Boehm, 1991; Zabady, 2012) and are mainly for the mandible (Ahmed, 2011; Al-Ali, M.A. et al, 2023;  Al-Dughaym et al, 2003; Bhabhor et al, 2024; Kumar & Singh, 1979; Kumar et al, 2013; Parashar & Gahlot, 2023; Purohit et al, 2019; Rastabi et al, 2017; Siddiqui et al, 2012; Zamos et al, 1992). The average weight of a racing camel is far greater than New World camelids with females weighing around 300-540kgs and males 400-690kgs. Intensive breeding programs including in-vitro fertilisation, embryo transfer, cloning and a targeted bloodstock industry for speed have been supported and designed by the Sheikhs over the last 30-40 years. Thoroughbred racing industry rules and regulations (including drug detection), race distances, training methods and nutrition have been adopted and modified for the Arab racing camel. The average speed of the modern racing camel has improved to a point where cantering an average 27-32km/h the first 8km of a 10km race (the most common race distance), increasing to 40-43km/h at the gallop for the next 1 km then in the final 1 km at the gallop up to 50-55km/h is the norm. The weight, high speed, training methods, training patterns and racing over set distances at maximal cardiorespiratory exertion on sand has revealed long bone fractures similar to those documented in racehorses (Tinson, 2017). Indeed, the concept of stress fractures leading to potential catastrophic fractures of the long bones, in particular the humerus and tibia is raised (Carrier et al, 1998; Findley & Hewitt-Dedman, 2024; Nixon, 2019; Whitton, R.C. et al, 2019; Wright, 2022). Dorsal metacarpal disease (DMD/‘sore shins’/‘bucked shins‘) due to repeated stress and microfractures are commonly encountered in young racing camels as they are in young racehorses (Al-Juboori, 2013; Yas & Al Juboori, 2008; Ramzan, 2023). Additionally, carpal joint osteochondral fragmentation (‘chip fractures’) similar to racehorses amenable to arthroscopic management (McIlwraith et al, 2014) have been identified and treated as a cause of lameness in racing camels (Schambourg, 2018).

During 2016-2018, I was in the idiosyncratic position tasked with recruiting expat and local veterinarians and nurses, fully equip a referral hospital, train staff in aspects of modern large animal hospital practice, initiate research and development of camel medicine and make operational a state-of-the-art Dubai Camel Hospital (DCH), a sister hospital to the well established Dubai Equine Hospital (DEH) at the Al Marmoon racetrack under the patronage of His Royal Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Emirati Royal and current Ruler of Dubai.

The hospital was opened by the Sheikh on the 14^th December, 2017.

This presentation will illustrate some of the challenges we faced as a collaborative team from all corners of the world in the management of various types of fractures encountered, utilising concepts and techniques from large/small animal surgery with the full repertoire of external and internal fixation techniques to choose from and adapted for racing camels.

References

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