The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is the only extant species in the Family Ornithorhynchidae within the Order Monotremata.

Platypuses exhibit reptilian, avian and mammalian characteristics in their genome, physiology, reproduction and anatomy, many of which are unique among mammals (Fig. 28.1). The platypus genome is an amalgam of ancestral reptilian and derived mammalian characteristics (Warren et al.

Injured or debilitated free-ranging platypuses may be rescued and presented to veterinarians for treatment. Careful assessment and management are required to ensure successful treatment and rehabilitation. A few are also held in zoos in Australia. Once adapted to a managed care environment they are generally hardy. However, the successful maintenance of platypuses in either temporary or permanent care requires specialised housing, hus­bandry and diet. Although there has been some success, platypuses are generally difficult to breed in zoos.

This chapter, complemented by several other chapters and appendices within this volume, presents advances in platypus medicine since the publication of Vogelnest and Woods (2008) and Vogelnest and Portas (2019). The medi­cine and pathology of platypuses is covered comprehen­sively in Booth and Connolly (2008), Ladds (2009), Holz (2015) and Vogelnest and Allan (2015); this chapter should be read alongside these texts.

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