A kangaroo at a central Kansas wildlife refuge has undergone a stem cell treatment to repair an injured leg.

Vets at Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure performed the procedure Wednesday on the 6-year-old female red kangaroo.

The operation was performed by Dr. Danelle Okeson, the zoo’s veterinarian, and Dr. Larry Snyder, veterinarian from the University Bird and Small Animal Clinic in Topeka.

The procedure was intended to regenerate a damaged joint that was causing the kangaroo to hobble around on one leg and her tail.

Snyder says stem cell therapy has been a viable treatment for humans for decades but has only recently been used on animals, mostly house pets and horses.

A refuge official says it may take days for zoo officials to notice any improvement.