Femoral Type II Salter–Harris Fracture Repair in a Domestic Ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

A 15-week-old, neutered male, domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) presented for a closed type II Salter–Harris fracture of the right distal femoral metaphysis with caudomedial displacement. The ferret became acutely lame earlier that day after falling from the second-floor indoor balcony. The ferret received a dose of buprenorphine from his primary veterinarian prior to arrival. On presentation, the ferret had a 4/4 right pelvic limb lameness. The ferret was started on meloxicam, buprenorphine, famotidine, sucralfate, and maropitant. The ferret was anesthetized for surgical repair the following day. An approximate 5 cm craniolateral skin incision was made extending from the stifle joint to the distal femoral diaphysis. Subcutaneous soft tissue was dissected, allowing exposure of the fracture. The fracture fragments were opposed and stabilized using two 0.045 mm Kirschner wires using a crosspin technique. The subcutaneous tissue was closed using a simple continuous pattern and the skin was opposed with using an intradermal pattern, both with 4–0 poliglecaprone 25. Postoperative radiographs confirmed appropriate implant placement fracture reduction and apposition. Anesthesia and recovery were unremarkable. The ferret was cage-rested postoperatively for 4 weeks. Follow-up radiographs revealed appropriate bony callus at the fracture site without implant complications. Fracture repair can be surgically managed in ferrets, along with restricted activity and cage rest resulting in appreciable success. This case demonstrates that crosspin fixation and cage rest can be a viable option for distal femoral fracture repair in ferrets.