Arthrodesis of the Elbow Joint in a Lioness

Summary

Septic arthritis of the elbow due to trauma was diagnosed in a young lioness and the joint was fused with internal and external fixations. External skeletal fixation was used for three months in order to augment bone plating and enhance bone fusion of the joint. Combining internal and external stabilizing procedures was tolerated by the animal and permitted limb salvage in a large, growing, non-domesticated animal.

Septic and degenerative elbow arthritis due to trauma requires aggressive medical and surgical treatments to preserve limb function. In this case, systemic antibiotics, joint lavage and arthrodesis were used successfully in a lioness (Panthera leo) to save the forelimb.

Keywords

Panthera leo - septic arthritis - Cefadroxil - Bacillus spp. - arthrodesis - external skeletal fixation

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