Characterization of femoral and tibial fractures in dogs in Lusaka, Zambia: a retrospective study
Keywords:
Canine, limb fractures, classification, Lusaka
Abstract
A retrospective radiological study characterized (Sex, Age, Breed, Site, Alignment, Extent, Orientation and Type) femoral and tibial fractures in dogs at Showgrounds Veterinary Clinic, Lusaka, Zambia, from 2000 to 2017. Out of 161 screened radiographs, 79 were for femoral fractures and 82 for tibial fractures. For femoral fractures, males were more represented (48.1%) than females (38.0%). Young dogs accounted for 31.6% of cases, and Mongrel/mixed breeds were most common (35.4%). Single, complete, transverse, overriding diaphyseal fractures were most frequent. No association was found between sex and fracture type (p = 0.67). Associations between sex, age and breed were not performed for other fracture characteristics due to the small number of observations in the various categories. Tibial fractures were more common in males (51.2%). Adults (82.9%) and large/giant breeds (47.6%) were more affected. The most common tibial fractures were single, complete, short-oblique overriding diaphyseal fractures. No significant associations were found between age and fracture type (p = 1.00), age and alignment (p = 0.3612), sex and type (p = 0.3143), or sex and alignment (p = 1.00). Association of breeds with fracture characteristic was not performed due to small numbers of observation in various categories. This study provides crucial characterization of these fractures at Showgrounds Veterinary Clinic, information that is necessary to guide client education and knowledge sharing among veterinary professionals.References
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2. Bennour EM, Abushhiwa MA, Ali L, Sawesi OK, Marzok MA, Abuargob OM, El-Khodery SA. A retrospective study on appendicular fractures in dogs and cats in Tripoli-Libya. J Vet Adv. 2014. 4(3), 425–431.
3. Shales C. Fracture management in small animal practice: 1. Triage and stabilisation. In Practice. 2008; 30(6), 314–320.
4. Moses H, Powers D, Keeler J, Erdmann D, Marcus J, Puscas L, Woodard C. Opportunity cost of surgical management of craniomaxillofacial trauma. Craniomaxillofac Trauma Reconstr. 2016; 9(1), 76–81. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0035-1566160
5. Abd El Raouf M, Ezzeldein SA, Eisa EFM. Bone fractures in dogs: A retrospective study of 129 dogs. Iraqi J Vet Sci. 2019; 33(2), 401–405. https://doi.org/10.33899/ijvs.2019.163086
6. Elzomor ST, Sheta EME, Ashour AE, Farghali HA. Prevalence of femoral fractures in dogs and cats. J Egypt Vet Med Assoc. 2014; 74(2), 269–278.
7. Tercanlioglu H, Sarierler M. Femur fractures and treatment options in dogs which brought our clinics. Lucrari Stiiniiifice Medicina Veterinara, 2009; 42(2), 98–101.
8. Jain R, Karmore SK, Shukla BP, Nema S, Shukla SS, Chabra DC. Incidence of fracture in dog: a retrospective study. Veterinary Practitioners, 2018; 19(1), 63–65.
9. Usadadiya PM, Patel DB, Patel PB. Clinical epidemiology of fractures in dogs: A retrospective study. Int J Curr Microbiol Appl Sci. 2020; 9(09), 923–929. https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2020.909.116
10. Perry KL, Woods S. Fractures of the metabones and phalanges in dogs and cats. Comp Anim. 2018; 23(9), 498–508.
11. Talaat A, Gadallah SM, Farghali HA, Sharshar AM. Retrospective study on canine femoral fractures: Incidence and surgical management. J Curr Vet Res. 2022; 4(2), 91–103.
12. Alas O, Gallastegui A, Hernandez J, Johnson M. Comprehensive radiographic grading system and clinical outcomes of canine tibial avulsion fractures in dogs. Vet Radiol Ultrasound. 2025; 66(1).
13. Libardoni RDN, Costa DD, Menezes FB, Cavalli LG, Pedrotti LF, Kohlrausch PR, Silva MAM. Classification, fixation techniques, complications and outcomes of femur fractures in dogs and cats: 61 cases (2015-2016). Ciência Rural, 2018; 48(6), e20170028.
14. Ali B. Incidence, occurrence, classification and outcome of small animal fractures: A retrospective study (2005–2010). Zenodo. 2013; https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.1082359
15. Rhangani AT. Incidence, classification and management of appendicular bone fractures in dogs in Nairobi County, Kenya. a retrospective study. Doctoral dissertation, University of Nairobi. 2014.
16. Gsell AS, Knobel DL, Cleaveland S, Kazwala RR, Vounatsou P, Zinsstag J. Domestic dog demographic structure and dynamics relevant to rabies control planning in urban areas in Africa: The case of Iringa, Tanzania. Vet Res. 2012; 70(8), 236–246. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-6148-8-236
17. Aithal HP, Singh GR. Management of supracondylar femoral fracture with different techniques in dogs: A gross and undecalcified ground section study. Indian J Anim Sci. 1999; 69(11).
18. Bidari SN, Prakash P, Singh R. Incidence of long bone fractures in dogs a retrospective study (2016–2021). The Pharma Innovation J. 2023. 12(6), 531–534.
19. Bishnoi AK, Raghunath M, Saini NS. Classification and characterization of comminuted long bone fractures in dogs. Vet practitioner, 2013; 14(1), 186-189
20. Rani UR, Vairavaswamy T, Kathiresan D. A retrospective study on bone fractures in canines. Indian Vet J. 2004; (20)81, 104-105.
21. Sran TK, Singh SS, Mohindroo J, Saini NS. Frequency of long bone fractures in dogs: A retrospective study. IJVS 2016. 37(1), 1-5.
22. Kushwaha RB, Gupta AK, Bhadwal MS, Kumar S, Tripathi AK. Incidence of fractures and their management in animals: a clinical study of 77 cases. IJVS, 2011; 32(1), 54-56.
23. Uwagie-Ero EA, Abiaezute CN, Okorie-Kanu OJ, Odigie EA, Asemota OD. Retrospective evaluation of canine fractures in southern Nigeria. Comp Clin Path, 2018; 27(5), 1127-1132.
24. Phillips IR. (1979). A survey of bone fractures in the dog and cat. J Small Anim Pract. 20(11): 661-674
25. Simon S, Ganesh R, Ayyappan S, Rao GD, Kumar RS, Kundave VR, Das BC. Incidences of pelvic limb fractures in dogs: A survey of 478 cases. Vet World. 2010; 3(3), 120.
26. Gorse MJ. Using external skeletal fixation for fractures of the radius and ulna and tibia. Vet Surg. 1998; 27(6), 607–617. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950X.1998.tb00445.x
27. Harasen G. Common long bone fractures in small animal practice—part 1. Can Vet J. 2003; 44(4), 333.
28. Karve SA. Surgical Management of Long Bone Affections of Thoracic Limb in Growing Dogs. Doctoral dissertation, MAFSU, Nagpur. 2017.
29. Shiju MS, Ganesh R, Ayyappan S, Kumar RS. Incidence of pectoral limb fractures in dogs: A survey of 331 cases. Tamilnadu J Vet Anim Sci. 2011. 7(2), 94-96.
30. Shiju MS, Ganesh R, Ayyappan S, Rao GD, Kumar RS, Kundave VR, Das BC. Incidence of pelvic limb fractures in dogs: A survey of 478 cases. Vet World. 2010. 3(3), 120–121.
Published
2026-02-27
How to Cite
1.
Mweemba G, Muntanga P, Phiri A, Siwila J, Chidumayo N. Characterization of femoral and tibial fractures in dogs in Lusaka, Zambia: a retrospective study. Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences [Internet]. 27Feb.2026 [cited 13Apr.2026];10(2). Available from: https://journals.unza.zm/index.php/JABS/article/view/1624
Section
Veterinary Medicine
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