Spontaneous femoral capital physeal fractures in a Continental giant rabbit

Abstract

SPOnTAneOUS femoral capital physeal fractures are well documented in cats (Mcnicholas and others 2002, Fischer and others 2004), dogs (Gendreau and cawley 1977, Moores and others 2004) and human beings (Loder and others 2000, Gekeler 2007, Gholve and others 2009). Hip dysplasia (splay leg) has been described in commercially bred Dutch rabbits (Joosten and others 1981, Owiny and others 2001), but spontaneous femoral capital physeal fractures in rabbits have, to the authors' knowledge, not been reported previously. This short communication describes a case of bilateral spontaneous femoral capital physeal fractures in a pet giant rabbit. A seven-month-old, entire female continental giant rabbit weighing 5.5 kg was referred with a four-week history of bilateral pelvic limb lameness. The rabbit had become progressively more reluctant to exercise, and had shown mild improvement after administration of meloxicam (Metacam Oral Suspension; Boehringer ingelheim). The general clinical examination was unremarkable. On musculoskeletal examination, there was bilateral pelvic limb muscle atrophy and pain was elicited when the coxofemoral joints were manipulated, particularly on extension and abduction. The rabbit hopped using both pelvic limbs together and with marked limb adduction. Orthogonal radiographs of the pelvis and stifles were taken under general anaesthesia. These revealed an abnormal appearance of the proximal femurs, with osteophytes around the femoral neck and a moderate increase in the size of the coxofemoral joint space. The femoral head and neck were distally positioned with a reduced angle of inclination. The capital physes were wide and distinct (Fig 1). The changes were bilaterally symmetrical, and fractures of the femoral heads were suspected. The radiographs were assessed against comparable radiographic views from six rabbits examined for causes unrelated to the coxofemoral joints, including two giant-breed rabbits (Fig 2). Under the same general anaesthesia, the rabbit was aseptically prepared for bilateral femoral head and neck excision (FHne). A standard craniolateral approach was made to the left hip joint and a small disarticulator was used to remove the fractured femoral head. Surgical accessibility to the coxofemoral joints was limited and no attempt was made to remove any femoral neck as its surface was palpably smooth and flat. The procedure was repeated for the right hip joint, in which equivalent pathology was identified. Postoperative radiographs confirmed that both of the femoral heads had been successfully removed (Fig 3).

Femoral condylar fractures in four continental giant breed rabbits

“…Fractures in the contralateral limbs, or elsewhere, were not reported in the cases presented within the relatively short follow‐up times available. Spontaneous femoral capital fractures have been reported in a 7‐month‐old female entire CGR (Knudsen & Langley‐Hobbs 2010). Although physeal closure is delayed in male cats by neutering (Perry et al .…”

Coxofemoral luxation in pet rabbits: nine cases

“…() suggested FHNO as the technique of choice for treating TCL in rabbits, but in that report, no clinical cases were evaluated employing this technique. Knudsen & Langley‐Hobbs () performed a bilateral FHNO in a rabbit with bilateral capital physeal fractures, with unsatisfactory results, which led the owner to choose euthanasia. In dogs and cats, FHNO has been associated with complications; Berzon et al .…”

“…Only traumatic coxofemoral luxation (TCL), hip dysplasia and spontaneous femoral capital physeal fracture have been reported in rabbits (Owiny et al . , Knudsen & Langley‐Hobbs , Harcourt‐Brown & Langley‐Hobbs , Coleman et al . ).…”