Fractures Secondary to Nutritional Bone Disease in Dogs:A Review of 38 Cases

The pattern of bone fractures secondary to nutritional bone disease in 38 dogs was analysed using a radiographic survey. The majority of fractures were either caused by a fall (28.95 %) or showed no history of direct trauma (31.58 %). Mongrels were more commonly affected by pathological fractures, followed by Dobermanns and German Shepherds. Significantly more (P < 0.05) fractures were found in dogs aged less than 6 months (64.71 %). The incidence of such fractures was significantly higher in males than in females (M : F = 2.70 : 1.00). General radiological signs included a generalized decrease in cortical density, thinning of cortices and widening of metaphyses/epiphyses in most of the animals. Fractures were found significantly more frequently (P < 0.01) in the femur (81.58 %) than in any other bone. Of the different types of fracture, complete oblique and incomplete fractures were most common.