The occurrence and pattern of simple and compound fractures of limb bones in different domestic animals: A retrospective study of 986 cases

The study was conducted to record and compare the occurrence and pattern of simple (closed) and compound (open) fractures in different domestic animals. All the cases of limb bone fractures reported during the period from April 2001 to March 2007 were screened. Among the total 986 fracture cases, more number of compound fractures were observed in dogs, followed by cattle, goats, horses and buffaloes; however, the per cent compound fractures in a particular species was more in cattle (47%), followed by horses (32%) and buffaloes (24%). Among different breeds of dogs, no significant difference was observed in simple and compound fractures. In dogs, significantly more fracture cases were recorded in males than females; whereas in cattle and buffaloes, female animals were more significantly affected with fractures. However, the per cent compound fractures did not differ significantly between the males and females in different domestic animals. Fall/jump from height and road traffic accidents were the common causes of fractures in different animals; the per cent of compound fractures caused by road traffic accident was significantly more than other causes. In femur, simple fractures were significantly more than compound fractures in all animal species; and in metatarsals/metacarpals relatively more compound fractures were recorded than other bones. Compound fractures were significantly more common at the distal third of long bones and were more frequently comminuted/multiple in nature than simple fractures.