Surgical repair of distal femoral fracture in a wild gray wolf (Canis lupus)

A 3-year-old wild gray wolf was referred to the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences of ShirazUniversity with a history of car accident. The radiographic examination showed supracondylar distal femoralfracture in right leg. The wolf was pre-medicated by acepromazine followed by induction of anesthesia usinga combination of diazepam and ketamine. Anesthesia was maintained by halothane. The fracture wasreduced, the first pin was bent based on anatomical curvature of the femoral shaft and inserted from lateralepicondyle and drove proximally. The second one was inserted from medial epicondyle as a cross pin. Forfurther stabilization, a bone plate was contoured to curve from the shaft onto the condyle and applied onlateral surface of the distal femur. The joint capsule and incision site was closed. Postoperative radiographshowed good pin placement and bone reduction. Cage rest and restricted activity was accomplished for 8weeks. Postoperative follow up revealed no complication and the wolf was allowed to return to its domainarea of wilderness four months after surgery. In conclusion, using a combination of different fixationtechniques can result in successful fracture repair in wild animals.