Management and recovery of a fracture of the tibia and distal fibula in a juvenile Puma (Puma Concolor) in a natural reserve located in Tocancipá-Colombia. Case report
Keywords:
Colombia, puma, tibia fracture, osteosynthesis, orthogonal plates, screws
Abstract
Introduction. This is a case report of a juvenile puma (Puma concolor) residing in a natural reserve located in Tocancipá, Colombia, that presented a complete oblique fracture of the tibia and fibula in its left hind limb (LHL), with the cause of the fracture unknown.
Objective: To describe the management of the clinical case and its evolution from a clinical perspective.
Methods: Different chemical restraint protocols were performed, along with paraclinical tests, to establish the definitive diagnosis. Medical treatment was established with analgesics, anti-inflammatories, and antibiotics, as well as bioregulatory medicine. Additionally, restricted space management was implemented with a constant environmental enrichment plan, prioritizing minimal physical activity for the patient and promoting well-being. The most appropriate surgical treatment was then implemented under the guidance of a specialist surgeon. Fracture reduction was achieved through the placement of two orthogonal plates with screws: one at the dorsal level and the other at the lateromedial border.
Results: The patient's evolution was successful; it began bearing weight on the affected limb on the same day of surgery, and after three months it was bearing weight completely. Bone callus formation began at 20 days, with adequate bone formation and consolidation occurring around 45 days. The first plate (medial) was removed one year and one month after surgery, and the second (mediolateral) was removed almost four months after the removal of the first.
Conclusion: The puma recovered successfully thanks to the multidisciplinary management and interventions carried out. This case will contribute to the knowledge base for similar cases in this and other wild species.
References
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11.Chirchir, H., Ruff, C., Helgen, K. M., & Potts, R. (2022). Effects of reduced mobility on trabecular bone density in captive big cats. Royal Society Open Science, 9(3), 211345. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.211345
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17.Fischer, C. P., & Romero, L. M. (2019). Chronic captivity stress in wild animals is highly species-specific. Conservation Physiology, 7(1), coz093. https://doi.org/10.1093/conphys/coz093
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22.Kudo, T., Hara, A., Iwase, H., Ichihara, S., Nagao, M., Maruyama, Y., & Kaneko, K. (2016). Biomechanical properties of orthogonal plate configuration versus parallel plate configuration using the same locking plate system for intra-articular distal humeral fractures under radial or ulnar column axial load. Injury, 47(10), 2071–2076. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2016.08.012
23.LaBarge, L. R., Evans, M. J., Miller, J. R., Cannataro, G., Hunt, C., & Elbroch, L. M. (2022). Pumas Puma concolor as ecological brokers: A review of their biotic relationships. Mammal Review, 52(3), 360–376. https://doi.org/10.1111/mam.12281
24.Lescano, J., Quevedo, M., Baselly, L., Crespo, A., & Fernández, V. (2014). Chemical immobilization of captive cougars Puma concolor (Linnaeus, 1771) (Carnivora: Felidae) using a combination of tiletamine-zolazepam, ketamine and xylazine. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 6(14), 6659–6667.https://research.amanote.com/publication/85dV2nMBKQvf0Bhi6wRM/chemical-immobilization-of-captive-cougars-puma-concolor-linnaeus-1771-carnivora.
25.Medina, D., Armas Ariza, J. C., Ortega, O. A., Camacho, M., & Astudillo Vallejo, K. (2022). Corrección de fractura oblicua corta de calcáneo en una hembra juvenil de Puma concolor, utilizando una aguja de Steinmann y placa de compresión. CES Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, 17(1), 78–95. https://doi.org/10.21615/cesmvz.6494
26.Murphy, S. M., Wilckens, D. T., & Augustine, B. C. (2019). Improving estimation of puma (Puma concolor) population density: Clustered camera-trapping, telemetry data, and generalized spatial mark-resight models. Scientific Reports, 9, 4590. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-40926-7
27.Parker, V. J., Gilor, C., & Chew, D. J. (2015). Feline hyperparathyroidism: Pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of primary and secondary disease. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 17(11), 1009–1021. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X15581134
28.Rolvien, T., Amling, M. (2022) Disuse Osteoporosis: Clinical and Mechanistic Insights. Calcif Tissue Int 110, 592–604. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-021-00836-1
29.Roe, S. C. (2024). Reducing plate strain with orthogonal plating. Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 37(04), v–vi. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0044-1787966
30.Zafalon, R. V. A., Risolia, L. W., Vendramini, T. H. A., Ayres Rodrigues, R. B., Pedrinelli, V., Teixeira, F. A., & Brunetto, M. A. (2020). Vitamin D metabolism in dogs and cats and its relation to diseases not associated with bone metabolism. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 104(2), 322–342. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.13259
31.Zalavras, C. G., Vercillo, M. T., Jun, B. J., Otarodifard, K., Itamura, J. M., & Lee, T. Q. (2011). Biomechanical evaluation of parallel versus orthogonal plate fixation of intra-articular distal humerus fractures. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 20(1), 12–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jse.2010.08.005
32.Zeiler, G., Rioja, E., Boucher, C., & Tordiffe, A. (2013). Anaesthetic management of two Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) cubs for fracture repair. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, 84(1), e1–e5. https://doi.org/10.4102/jsava.v84i1.995.
2.Arthurs, G. (2015). Advances in internal fixation: locking plates. In Practice, 37(1), 13–20. https://doi.org/10.1136/inp.g7695
3.Atalar, A. C., Tunalı, O., Erkoçak, A., Kapıcıoğlu, M., Sağlam, Y., & Demirkale, M. S. (2017). Biomechanical comparison of orthogonal versus parallel double plating systems in intraarticular distal humerus fractures. Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica, 51(1), 23–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aott.2016.11.001
4.Au Yong, J. A., Lewis, D. D., Citino, S. B., Cunningham, M. W., Cross, A. R., Farese, J. P., & Pablo, L. S. (2018). Surgical management of appendicular long-bone fractures in free-ranging Florida Panthers (Puma concolor coryi): Six cases (2000–2014). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 49(1), 162–171. https://doi.org/10.1638/2017-0058r1.1
5.Backus, R. C., Colitz, C. M. H., & Schmitt, K. (2024). Age-dependent changes in plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D may complicate vitamin D status assessment of immature cats. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 11, 1365204. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1365204
6.Borgeat, K. (2018). A practical approach to cats with respiratory distress [Conference proceedings]. World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Congress. https://www.vin.com/doc/?id=8896734
7.Boucher, C., & Zeiler, G. (2015). Femur fracture repair of a tiger cub (Panthera tigris tigris) suffering from nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism and osteopenia. Veterinary Record Case Reports, 3(1), e000188. https://doi.org/10.1136/vetreccr-2015-000188
8.Castro, M. L., Cerqueira Câmara, B. M., Oliveira Barreto, M. S., Wenceslau, R. R., Karollini E Silva, A., Fagundes, N., Silva, R. A., Mariani Pimenta, E. L., & Beier, S. L. (2022). Effect of dexmedetomidine low doses with or without midazolam in cats: Clinical, hemodynamic, blood gas analysis, and echocardiographic effects. Anesthesiology Research and Practice, 2022, 9613721. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/9613721
9.Castaño-Uribe, C., Lasso, C. A., Hoogesteijn, R., Diaz-Pulido, A., & Payán, E. (Eds.). (2016). II. Conflictos entre felinos y humanos en América Latina. Serie Editorial Fauna Silvestre Neotropical. Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt (IAvH).
10.Cheung, Z. B., Nasser, P., Iatridis, J. C., & Forsh, D. A. (2023). Orthogonal plating of distal femur fractures: A biomechanical comparison with plate-nail and parallel plating constructs. Journal of Orthopaedics, 37, 34–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jor.2023.02.003
11.Chirchir, H., Ruff, C., Helgen, K. M., & Potts, R. (2022). Effects of reduced mobility on trabecular bone density in captive big cats. Royal Society Open Science, 9(3), 211345. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.211345
12.Corr, S. A. (2005). Practical guide to linear external skeletal fixation in small animals. In Practice, 27(2), 76–87. https://doi.org/10.1136/inpract.27.2.76
13.Craig, A., Witte, P. G., Moody, T., Harris, K., & Scott, H. W. (2017). Management of feline tibial diaphyseal fractures using orthogonal plates performed via minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 20(1), 6–14. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X17692470
14.Cronier, P., Pietu, G., Dujardin, C., Bigorre, N., Ducellier, F., & Gerard, R. (2010). The concept of locking plates. Orthopaedics & Traumatology: Surgery & Research, 96(4, Suppl.), S17–S36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.otsr.2010.03.008
15.Dutton, C. J., Jaber, R., & Peirce, M. A. (2004). Nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism in a white lion cub (Panthera leo) with concomitant radiographic double cortical line. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 35(2), 245–248. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/8492942_Nutritional_secondary_hyperparathyroidism_in_a_white_lion_cub_Panthera_leo_with_concomitant_radiographic_double_cortical_line_clinical_communication
16.Farzad-Mohajeri, S., Mollaei, Z., Sari, M. M., & Rostami, A. (2024). Surgical stabilization of a distal tibial fracture in a jungle cat (Felis chaus) using orthogonal double plating. Veterinary Medicine and Science, 10(2), e1382. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.1382
17.Fischer, C. P., & Romero, L. M. (2019). Chronic captivity stress in wild animals is highly species-specific. Conservation Physiology, 7(1), coz093. https://doi.org/10.1093/conphys/coz093
18.Fossum, T. W. (2019). Small Animal Surgery (5th ed.). Elsevier. https://shop.elsevier.com/books/small-animal-surgery/fossum/978-0-323-44344-9
19.González-Chávez, M. T., Rojas-Hoyos, N. A., Vega-Rodríguez, N., & Yrurzun-Estrada, C. (2019). Fijación esquelética externa y clavo intramedular en una fractura femoral de un Puma concolor del Zoológico Nacional de Cuba. Revista de Salud Animal, 41(1), e10. http://scielo.sld.cu/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0253-570X2019000100010
20.González, M. S., & Flores Góchez, M. M. (2024). Beneficios del puma (Puma concolor) como regulador de especies en Centroamérica. Revista Minerva, 7(2), 101–109. https://doi.org/10.5377/revminerva.v7i2.18527
21.Jiwlawat, N., Pacharinsak, C., & Durongphongtorn, S. (2022). Anesthetic effects of dexmedetomidine-tiletamine/zolazepam combination in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 52(2), 267–274. https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/tjvm/article/view/256738
22.Kudo, T., Hara, A., Iwase, H., Ichihara, S., Nagao, M., Maruyama, Y., & Kaneko, K. (2016). Biomechanical properties of orthogonal plate configuration versus parallel plate configuration using the same locking plate system for intra-articular distal humeral fractures under radial or ulnar column axial load. Injury, 47(10), 2071–2076. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2016.08.012
23.LaBarge, L. R., Evans, M. J., Miller, J. R., Cannataro, G., Hunt, C., & Elbroch, L. M. (2022). Pumas Puma concolor as ecological brokers: A review of their biotic relationships. Mammal Review, 52(3), 360–376. https://doi.org/10.1111/mam.12281
24.Lescano, J., Quevedo, M., Baselly, L., Crespo, A., & Fernández, V. (2014). Chemical immobilization of captive cougars Puma concolor (Linnaeus, 1771) (Carnivora: Felidae) using a combination of tiletamine-zolazepam, ketamine and xylazine. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 6(14), 6659–6667.https://research.amanote.com/publication/85dV2nMBKQvf0Bhi6wRM/chemical-immobilization-of-captive-cougars-puma-concolor-linnaeus-1771-carnivora.
25.Medina, D., Armas Ariza, J. C., Ortega, O. A., Camacho, M., & Astudillo Vallejo, K. (2022). Corrección de fractura oblicua corta de calcáneo en una hembra juvenil de Puma concolor, utilizando una aguja de Steinmann y placa de compresión. CES Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, 17(1), 78–95. https://doi.org/10.21615/cesmvz.6494
26.Murphy, S. M., Wilckens, D. T., & Augustine, B. C. (2019). Improving estimation of puma (Puma concolor) population density: Clustered camera-trapping, telemetry data, and generalized spatial mark-resight models. Scientific Reports, 9, 4590. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-40926-7
27.Parker, V. J., Gilor, C., & Chew, D. J. (2015). Feline hyperparathyroidism: Pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of primary and secondary disease. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 17(11), 1009–1021. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X15581134
28.Rolvien, T., Amling, M. (2022) Disuse Osteoporosis: Clinical and Mechanistic Insights. Calcif Tissue Int 110, 592–604. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-021-00836-1
29.Roe, S. C. (2024). Reducing plate strain with orthogonal plating. Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 37(04), v–vi. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0044-1787966
30.Zafalon, R. V. A., Risolia, L. W., Vendramini, T. H. A., Ayres Rodrigues, R. B., Pedrinelli, V., Teixeira, F. A., & Brunetto, M. A. (2020). Vitamin D metabolism in dogs and cats and its relation to diseases not associated with bone metabolism. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 104(2), 322–342. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.13259
31.Zalavras, C. G., Vercillo, M. T., Jun, B. J., Otarodifard, K., Itamura, J. M., & Lee, T. Q. (2011). Biomechanical evaluation of parallel versus orthogonal plate fixation of intra-articular distal humerus fractures. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 20(1), 12–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jse.2010.08.005
32.Zeiler, G., Rioja, E., Boucher, C., & Tordiffe, A. (2013). Anaesthetic management of two Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) cubs for fracture repair. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, 84(1), e1–e5. https://doi.org/10.4102/jsava.v84i1.995.
Published
2026-09-29
How to Cite
Angela Natalia Agudelo Suárez, Stevany Angelina Ruth Martha, Maria Fernanda Triana Vergara, & Camilo Ernesto Galvis Moreno. (2026). Management and recovery of a fracture of the tibia and distal fibula in a juvenile Puma (Puma Concolor) in a natural reserve located in Tocancipá-Colombia. Case report . Revista Electronica De Veterinaria, 27(1), 42-55. https://doi.org/10.69980/redvet.v27i1.2511
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