Abstract

In April 2010, a fifteen-year-old female California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) in the Mundomar pinniped public display, presented an acute lameness of her left forelimb, which was attributed to a hypothetic traumatic event. The animal was put into treatment with anti-inflammatory (Carprofen) and pain-killer (Tramadol) drugs. Due to logistic reasons, it was only possible to separate her from the rest of the group after over two weeks. Once the animal was isolated, X-rays of the affected and contra-lateral flipper were made, and a severe elbow luxation was diagnosed. There were no bone fractures associated, or any sign of sepsis determined. A few days later the animal was anesthetized for an attempt of manual closed reduction but the procedure turned out to be unsuccessful. Eventually, after considering that the animal would not be able to regain proper life condition, an open reduction surgery was performed three weeks later. Two days before the procedure, a myorelaxant (Methocarbamol) was added to her treatment, in order to make the manoeuver easier. The surgery was realized at the Hospital Veterinario Marina Baixa, under the supervision of 6 vets. The luxation was hard to reduce back in place because of the concomitant fibrosis and the damage suffered in the joint capsule. Two bone tunnels were made, one in the ulna and one in the humerus, in order to tight them with a LigaFiba^® lateral suture. After a thorough closure of the different layers (PDS 2/0 for muscles, Dexon 2/0 and 3/0 for sub-cutaneous tissues, Ethilon 3/0 and 5/0 for the skin and surgical glue), X-rays and CT scan were done to confirm that everything was in place. A month antibiotic (Clindamycin and Enrofloxacine) treatment was established to avoid secondary infections. Equally, during the first three days the animal was kept in a dry area for the same reason. The anti-inflammatory (Carprofen) treatment was stopped three days later and the analgesic (Tramadol) treatment was continued for at least three months more. After the first controlled period of three days, the animal was allowed to enter to the water. The recovery of the animal has been excellent. She is forced everyday to swim a lot to avoid arthritis degeneration, ankylosis, or decreases in this limb mobility, and the overexertion of the contra-lateral one.

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Dr. Jim McBain of Sea World Adventure Parks, Dr. Bill Van Bonn of The Marine Mammal Center, Dr. Eric Jensen of US Navy Marine Mammal Program, Dr. Martin Haulena of The Vancouver Aquarium, Mr. Daniel García-Párraga of L'oceanogràfic CAC, all the staff of Hospital Veterinario Marina Baixa, Ms. Mireia Máinez of Clínica Veterinaria La Marina, Ms. Pilar Galipienso, Mundomar directorship and Mundomar trainers staff. They all collaborate in several ways with this procedure.