Hospital Occurrence Pattern of Appendicular Fractures in Dogs for 3 consecutive years (2019-2021)

Abstract

This retrospective study evaluated the hospital occurrence and bone wise signalment of appendicular fractures in dogs in the year 2019, 2020, and 2021. The study included 1242 canine patients. The overall hospital occurrence of appendicular fractures over the period of 3 years was 6.53%. The maximum number of cases (46.62%) were found to be presented in 2021. Higher prevalence of fracture was seen in non-descript (46.49%) and male dogs (66.46%). Automobile trauma was found to be the leading cause of fracture followed by fall from height. Immature dogs (less than 1-year-old) were found to be more susceptible to appendicular bone fractures. Fracture of hind limb with right sided bones were more common than forelimbs with left sided bones. Femur was the most common long bone to be fractured, constituting almost 40% of all the cases. Few uncommon fractures of patella and malleoli were also recorded. Majority of the fractures reported were closed and non-comminuted. Distal fractures were reported to be most common, followed by middle and proximal fractures.

The study concludes, an increase in occurrence of fractures every year. Juvenile dogs with hind limbs (femur bone) and distal region are more prone to fractures.