Conservative management of cranial cruciate ligament injury in an Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus)

A 9-year-old male Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus) kept at NIFREL exhibited acute left hindlimb lameness. Under general anesthesia, physical examination revealed a positive cranial drawer sign on the left stifle, and cranial tibial displacement with osteoarthritic changes was observed on the stifle radiograph, leading to a diagnosis of cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injury. The left hindlimb lameness improved with conservative management consisting of meloxicam and exercise restriction. Over a follow-up period of 953 days, the left gait remained stable with minimal radiographic progression of degenerative joint disease. In Asian small-clawed otters, this case adds to the limited body of knowledge on CCL injuries and demonstrates the viability of conservative treatment depending on clinical presentation.