With increasing trend in pet animal’s ownership, bone fractures constitute a major
problem including those caused by traumatic injuries. Orthopedic diseases are common in canine
and felines especially those caused by traumatic injuries. Appendicular fractures affecting femur
and tibia were most common in canine and felines. Forelimb fracture is particularly challenging
in orthopedic surgery as dogs bear most of their weight with the thoracic limbs. Pectoral limb
fractures were due to high energy trauma and therefore can result in both lives threatening
injuries, severe and permanent disability. Understanding the different types of fracture will be
helpful to develop improved techniques of fracture fixation in dogs. Young dogs above one and a
half month to six months are most commonly affected. Therefore management of pet’s
environment by the owner can play an important role in the preventing traumatic injuries in pets.
Recording the occurrence and pattern of appendicular bone fractures in canine and felines to
determine the principal causes is important for their management and control. Fractures in
animal bones have not received the required attention and there are few publications that deal
specifically with their epidemiology. Appendicular bone fractures due to trauma were most
common in canines and felines.
All canine and felines with appendicular bone fractured coming to pet clinics during 4
months and their owners willing to participate were enrolled in the study irrespective of age,
breed, and geography. Pet owners not willing to participate were excluded from the study. Data
about age, sex, breed; clinical signs, radiography report and other risk factors were obtained from
the pet owners on a pre-designed close ended questionnaire. Radiographs of the fractured area
were taken for confirmation of fracture. A cross-sectional study was conducted to classify
different types of fractures and to identify the risk factors associated with appendicular fractures
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in canine and felines. The study was conducted for four months. The samples consisted of those
canine and felines brought to the selected three pet clinics with fracture during the study period.
Cases were confirmed after taking their radiographs.
The data were analyzed by using SPSS version 20.0.The dependent variable
“appendicular bone fracture” and independent variables “owner’s education, profession, monthly
income, pet sex, pet breed, weight and physical condition” were analyzed by using SPSS version
20.0. Data entry and analysis was done in SPSS 20.0. Chi-square test was used for statistical
testing.
A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Frequencies and percentages of
categorical variables were calculated. Cross tabulations were done among dependent and
independent variables. Chi square test was applied to different risk factors associated with
appendicular bone fracture in canines and felines status to define the significant associations.
The present study collected descriptive epidemiological data on appendicular bone
fractures in canine and felines important for control and prevention of fractures. Also, risk
factors associated with appendicular bone fractures in canine and felines were evaluated that
would be helpful in controlling in future such as accidents and falls.
Conclusion
The current study was conducted at three different pet clinics in District Lahore
namely Pet center UVAS, Dr. Asim Pet clinic Faisal town Lahore, Dr. Zia Pet Hospital DHA
Phase-I Lahore, to evaluate the risk factors leading to the appendicular bone fracture in canine
and felines so that these factors can be identified and possible strategies are taken to avoid bone
fractures in canine and felines. The chi-square test result identified the following 10 factors
strongly associated with the appendicular bone fractures in canine and felines during the study
period, which is
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1) Owner’s education.
2) The physical condition of the pet.
3) Taking pet daily for outside walk.
4) Wandering habits of pet.
5) The habit of traveling with pets.
6) Not giving balanced diet daily to the pet.
7) Early weaning within two weeks after birth.
8) Aggressive behavior of the pet.
9) Road accidents.
10) Falling from a height.