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

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.