Clinical Technique: Extra-articular Surgical Stifle Stabilization of an American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)

Abstract

Reports of orthopedic surgical procedures in anuran (frogs and toads) patients are rare. The plight of many anuran populations and the increased role of clinical veterinarians in aquatic conservation, zoological, and biomedical research management will result in more frogs and toads being cared for as individuals to include orthopedic surgical support. The technique described in this article was used to successfully correct an acute, presumed traumatic, stifle instability in a wild-caught American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) and is shared to encourage clinicians to further adapt surgical techniques when caring for these important animals.

Key words: anuran, frog, veterinary surgery, veterinary orthopedics, stifle