Diagnosis and treatment of a fractured third phalanx in a Masai giraffe (Giraffe camelopardalis tippelskirchi). 
A 10-yr-old male Masai giraffe (Giraffe camelopardalis tippelskirchi) presented with acute right forelimb lameness.  Radiographs revealed a fracture of the medial claw of the distal phalanx penetrating into the distal interphalangeal joint.  The giraffe was sedated while it was standing in a chute, and a wooden "hoof block" was applied to the lateral claw of the same limb.  The animal was no longer lame 3 days after the procedure.  Subsequent treatments included vitamin E, phenylbutazone, and glycosaminoglycans.  For 7 wk it was maintained in a small holding yard on packed sand during the day and on deep sand during the night.  The hoof block slowly wore down, and at 7 wk, it was placed back on concrete in the evening.  At 8 wk, the block had completely worn off and the animal was no longer lame, but radiographs indicated minimal fracture healing.  Radiographs performed at 7 mo indicated that there was still a radiolucent zone at the fracture line but calcification was evident at the margins of the fracture.