Effect of breed as a risk factor for humeral condylar fracture in skeletally immature dogs

Abstract

Objectives To investigate the effect of breed as a risk factor associated with humeral condylar fracture in skeletally immature dogs in the UK. Materials and Methods Retrospective study of dogs under 12 months of age that were presented with humeral condylar fracture to three specialist referral centres between 2015 and 2018. Data retrieved from medical records included breed, age, gender, neuter status, affected limb, fracture configuration and aetiology of the fracture. Breed population percentages were compared with those recorded by the UK Kennel Club. Results Of the 115 dogs with 118 fractures, French bulldogs (41%) and English springer spaniels (15%) were overrepresented: humeral condylar fractures were more commonly diagnosed in French bulldogs (odds ratio = 5.86) and English springer spaniels (odds ratio = 5.66) compared with mixed‐breed dogs. Lateral condylar fractures occurred in 70% of cases, with medial condylar fractures and Y/T fractures accounting for 9% and 21%, respectively. Median age at the time of fracture was 4 months (range 2 to 10 months). Clinical Significance French bulldogs and English springer spaniels were identified as being at potentially increased risk of humeral condylar fracture in skeletally immature dogs.

A Prevalence Study of Canine Humeral Condylar Fractures Over a Ten-Year Period at an Academic Teaching Hospital

“…Additionally in the American Cocker Spaniel, pedigree analysis of eight dogs suggested a genetic basis for humeral intracondylar fissure with a recessive mode of inheritance. 13,17 While French Bulldogs have been reported as being a breed predisposed to HCF in older literature, 9 recent literature has shown large increases in the prevalence of this condition in this breed 1,19 with the current study showing French Bulldogs being 49.3 times more likely to develop HCF compared with the general population. The median age at presentation for HCF in French Bulldogs was 5 months of age with 75% occurring at 6 months of age or less, consistent with current literature.…”

“…The breed disposition reported in this study are consistent with recently published studies, with several notable differences. Sanchez Villamil and colleagues, 1 and Smith and colleagues 19 both similarly reported in 2020 that French Bulldogs and Spaniel breeds are predisposed to HCF compared with other breeds 1,19 however, these studies did not find English Bulldogs and Boston Terriers to be predisposed. Furthermore, Sanchez Villamil and colleagues reported that French Bulldogs were at increased risk of medial HCF, 1 which is in stark contrast to the current study in which no French Bulldogs presented for medial HCF.…”

“…In this retrospective study, the prevalence of humeral fractures and in particular, HCF, is consistent with current literature 1 with a similar distribution of the subtypes of HCF compared with previously reported. 1 6 7 9 19 Lateral condylar fractures were the most common configuration followed by Y/T and medial condylar fractures respectively. Thirteen breeds were found to be significantly more likely to be affected with a HCF when compared with the study population, with six of these breeds being highly significant ( p -value <0.001): French Bulldogs, Cocker Spaniels, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Brittany Spaniels, English Bulldogs and Boston Terriers.…”

“…Prevalence studies highlight French Bulldogs and Spaniel breeds as at-risk breeds with odds ratios (OR) of 5.86 to 8.12 for French Bulldogs 1 9 19 and 5.66 to 15.52 for English Springer Spaniels, respectively, when compared with crossbreed dogs. 1 9 19 Both these study populations were pooled from referral centres in the United Kingdom. In addition, French Bulldogs were at higher risk of developing medial humeral condylar fractures (HCF) compared with the populations of dogs in these studies.…”

Repair of Fractures of the Lateral Aspect of the Humeral Condyle in Skeletally Mature Dogs with Locking and Non-Locking Plates

“…This may be because the mean age of the cohort in this study was above that reported for French bulldogs suffering FLHC, different predisposing factors for FLHC in French Bulldogs compared with Spaniel breeds or because this study excluded fractures of the medial aspect of the humeral condyle. [19][20][21] The lateral aspect of the distal humerus is a challenging area in which to apply a plate due to the required contouring. Additionally, plate screws directed lateral-medial toward the anconeal fossa must be short or monocortical to avoid impinging on the anconeal process.…”