Femoral fracture repair in an adult female koala (<i>Phascolarctos cinereus</i>)

Abstract This report describes the repair of a short oblique diaphyseal fracture of the left femur in an adult, female koala ( Phascolarctos cinereus ). The koala was presented to a veterinary hospital by a member of the public. On examination, the patient was non‐weight‐bearing lame on the left pelvic limb. Radiographs revealed a closed, complete, short oblique fracture of the proximal diaphysis of the left femur with cranio‐proximal displacement of the distal fragment. A 91 mm long, 4 mm intramedullary interlocking nail (Innovative Animal Products) was utilised for fracture fixation, and post‐operative radiographs revealed excellent alignment. The koala was rehabilitated with certified wildlife carers and was released 16 weeks post‐operatively. This case highlights the importance of veterinarians in the conservation of native animals. To the author's knowledge, this is the first published report of fracture fixation in a koala, as well as the first described use of an interlocking nail in a marsupial.