Extracapsular stabilization for the treatment of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in a ferret

Abstract

Abstract A 1‐year‐old, male, neutered ferret was presented with a history of 2 weeks of left hindlimb lameness. Orthopaedic exam and radiographs were consistent with a complete cranial cruciate ligament rupture. An extracapsular stabilization was performed. Progressive lameness improvement was observed during the first 15 days after surgery and a complete resolution was achieved 3 weeks after surgery. Twenty‐one months after surgery, no lameness or recurrence was reported and moderate osteoarthritis developed at radiographic follow‐up. This is the first case of surgical management of cranial cruciate ligament in a ferret with long‐term follow‐up. Even if this disease is rarely reported in this species, cranial cruciate ligament should be included in differential diagnosis of ferret's hindlimb lameness. Surgical management is feasible and could be considered as an alternative to conservative management.