Review of Incidence and Risk Factors for Spinal Fauctures in Canines
Puli Vishnu Vardhan Reddy *
Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai-600007 India.
Mohammed Shafiuzama
Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai-600007 India.
Pushkin Raj, H
Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai-600007 India.
Ramesh, S
Centralised Clinical Laboratory, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai, India.
Chandrasekar, M
Resident Veterinary Service Section, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A survey was conducted to analyze vertebral fractures in dogs presented to the Madras Veterinary College Orthopaedic Outpatient Unit during a period of one and half year. A total of 24 cases were included, predominantly males with an average weight of 16 to 18 kilograms. The primary causes identified were road traffic accidents (n=15) and high-rise syndrome (n=9), affecting predominantly dogs aged 5 months to 2 years (n=14). Non-descript breeds were most commonly affected. Fractures were most frequently observed in the caudal thoracic vertebrae (T11 to L1). CT myelography revealed ventral displacement in cases of luxation, primarily affecting the thoracolumbar and lumbosacral regions. This study underscores the prevalence and characteristics of vertebral fractures in dogs, highlighting the need for prompt diagnosis and appropriate management strategies.
Keywords: Vertebral fractures, dogs, road traffic accidents