Presentation, treatment and outcome of long‐bone fractures in pet rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

• DOI: 10.1111/jsap.13087
• Publication Date: 2019-11-29T06:19:56Z
• Authors: S. Garcia‐Pertierra; J. Ryan; J. Richardson; B. Koterwas; E. Keeble; K. Eatwell; D. N. Clements
• Keywords: Etiology; Presentation (obstetrics); Metatarsal bones

Objectives To describe the incidence, aetiology, characteristics, assessment, management and outcome of long‐bone fractures in rabbits presenting to a single institution. Materials Methods Medical records pet diagnosed with over 12‐year period were analysed. Patient signalment, fracture location, description, time from occurrence veterinary presentation, fixation method, postoperative complications, clinical follow‐up recorded. Results Twenty‐eight that sustained 30 included study [femoral (n=12), tibial (n=6), metacarpal/metatarsal/phalangeal (n=5), radial ulnar (n=4) tarsal (n=3)]. Twenty‐one (75%) less than 2 years age, including seven (25%) under 6 months age. Twenty‐five had no identifiable cause five traumatic. Only one was open. Surgical stabilisation performed 22 fractures, four non‐surgically managed, two affected limb amputated, underwent digital amputation euthanased. Postoperative complications occurred nine [major minor The frequency or attainment functional recovery not notably different between methods fixation. Overall, 24 recovered, euthanased amputation. Clinical Significance Fractures typically occur young animals they usually lack an obvious aetiology. majority treated achieved recovery, although complication rate high surgically (41%).