SURGICAL CORRECTION OF TRAUMATIC PATELLAR LUXATION IN AN EURASIAN LYNX (LYNX LYNX)

• Published in: Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine
• Main Authors: V. Devesa-Garcia, A. Bañeres-De la Torre, M. A. Cabezas-Salamanca, N. Lucas-Lucas, J. Rodriguez-Quiros
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: American Association of Zoo Veterinarians 2016
• Subjects: Lynx; Lynx lynx lynx
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1638/2015-0205.1

The aim of this report is to describe the successful surgical repair of a traumatic medial patellar luxation in a 4-yr-old female Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx). The animal presented with hind limb lameness. Physical and radiographic examinations were performed under sedation. After diagnosing a medial patellar luxation, surgical repair was recommended. A combination of soft tissue reconstructive techniques was used to repair the medial patellar luxation. The limb was not immobilized postoperatively, but the animal was confined to a cage for 1 mo. The recovery was uneventful and return to normal activity was observed within 1 mo. Soft tissue reconstructive techniques can be used as the only surgical treatment for the repair of a traumatic patellar luxation in both domestic and wild animals.