Incidence of long bone fractures and surgical management of femoral fracture in dogs and cats in SAQTVH, Chattogram

Abstract

Long bone fractures in dogs and cats are common orthopaedic problem in Metropolitan cities specially Dhaka and Chattogram of Bangladesh. This study was conducted at SAQ Teaching Veterinary Hospital, CVASU, Chattogram during the period from January, 2018 to December, 2018 to assess the incidence of long bone fractures in dogs and cats and to evaluate the efficacy of femur fracture management in the mentioned species. For incidence study, 1358 cases were recorded and species, breed, age, sex, nature, type, anatomic location and risk factors were analyzed. Regarding femur fracture management, 12 femur fractures (dog- 4 cases, cat- 8 cases) were studied and lameness grade, functional limb outcome and radiographic assessment were performed. The incidence of long bone fracture in dogs and cats was found 3.24% out of 1358 cases registered in hospital. Highest incidence was found in cats (27/44) than dogs (17/44). Male dogs (11/17) and female cats (15/27) were more susceptible. Local (non-descriptive) dogs (9/17) and cats (13/27) were more prone for long bone fractures. Below 6 month old dogs and 6- 12 month old cats were found highest long bone incidence. Among all of long bone fracture, highest incidence was found in femur and falling from height was the major risk factors in cats for long bone fractures. Regarding femur fracture management, lameness grade was gradually improved from grade 5 to grade 1 except in dog case No. 3 and in cat, case No. 2 and 6. Functional limb outcome was excellent in 3 cases of dogs and 7 cases of cats at post-operative day 45. Secondary callous formation was noticed most of the cases at post-operative day 30. Post-operative complications, pin migration and wound infection were recorded in cat case No. 7 and 2 respectively. On the basis of above finding, the present research work revealed that intramedullary pinning technique is safe, economic and successful treatment method for femur fracture management if basic principles of repair are used. Owner’s co-operation is very important for better outcome of orthopaedic problem.