SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF A TARSAL LUXATION IN A RED KANGAROO (OSPHRANTER RUFUS)

Joint luxations commonly occur in animals secondary to traumatic injury. Because of the unique hind-limb anatomy of macropods, surgical stabilization of orthopedic injuries is considered challenging, and reports of successful management are limited. A 4-yr-old male neutered red kangaroo (Osphranter rufus) presented with a dorsolateral luxation of the left tibiotarsal joint. Surgical reduction and tarsal arthrodesis were performed. Although the full range of motion of the tarsal joint was limited, this kangaroo was still able to ambulate normally at slow speeds following surgery and recovery. The aim of this report was to describe the surgical and postoperative management of a tibiotarsal luxation in a kangaroo. There were significant postoperative complications in this kangaroo, and antibiotic regional limb perfusion was used to treat wound and implant infection.