title: Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy in a cape clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) with cranial cruciate ligament ruptures.
abstract: A 13-yr-old female Cape clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) presented with an acute mild right pelvic limb lameness that progressed to a non-weight-bearing lameness. Diagnosis of a ruptured cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) was made based on positive cranial drawer during physical examination and was supported by radiographs. A surgical repair with a tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) and bone anchor with an OrthoFiber suture was performed. The tibial plateau angle was reduced from 30 to 5 degrees. The otter returned to normal function after 12 wk of exercise restriction. Twelve months after surgery, the left CCL ruptured and a TPLO was performed. No complications developed after either surgery, and the otter had an excellent return to function. This is the first report of a cranial cruciate ligament rupture and TPLO procedure in a mustelid, supporting its application to noncanid and felid species.
authors.forename: Christine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Molter
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: Tracy L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Clippinger
authors.forename: Meg
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sutherland-Smith
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000662:veterinary*; D010041:Otters; D012421:Rupture / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D013264:Stifle / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013977:Tibia / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome