Treatment options, complications and long‐term outcomes for limb fractures in pet rabbits

Abstract

Background Limb fractures represent the most common orthopaedic disease in pet rabbits. However, only a few studies have evaluated therapeutic details of limb fractures. There are no data available for long‐term outcomes of limb fracture treatment. Methods The medical records of six institutions were reviewed retrospectively to identify cases of traumatic limb bone fractures in pet rabbits between 1999 and 2020. The medical records (n = 387) were analysed for details of fracture prevalence, aetiology, therapy protocols, treatment complications, outcome and long‐term effects. In addition to the retrospective data evaluation, 13 rabbits were re‐evaluated in person in recent clinical analyses, including orthopaedic examination, radiography and computed‐tomographic imaging. Details of long‐term effects of fracture treatment were requested over the telephone for a further 232 animals using a standardised questionnaire. Results Long bone fractures accounted for the majority of all fractures (296/387; 76.5%). Hindlimb fractures (301/387; 77.7%) were more common than forelimb fractures (86/387; 22.2%), and tibial fractures and combined fractures of the tibia and fibula (119/387; 30.8%) were observed most frequently. Most fracture treatments were based on osteosynthesis procedures (243/328; 74.1%). Treatment complications occurred in 130 out of 328 (39.6%) cases. A high bodyweight (p = 0.047) and an older age (p = 0.01) were found to be significant risk factors for the emergence of therapy complications. Overall, 75.4% of animals (175/232) had a satisfactory long‐term outcome. Limb posture anomalies were evaluated in 61 cases (26.3%). Limitations The multi‐centre approach led to the inclusion of various institutions, veterinarians, treatment protocols and rabbit populations that might have influenced the results. The medical records were reviewed retrospectively, so there were some data that were lacking or could not be collected in a standardised manner. Furthermore, rabbit owners' evaluation of long‐term outcomes might be prone to error, despite the use of a standardised interview questionnaire. Conclusion Limb fractures are a common orthopaedic issue in pet rabbits. The patient's bodyweight and age are significant risk factors for the emergence of complications during the fracture treatment process. Long‐term orthopaedic effects, such as abnormal limb posture and permanent lameness of the affected limb, were observed regularly.

Choosing the best treatment option for a rabbit with a broken leg

“…Of the cases that were treated surgically, complication rates were higher in those with implants (53 per cent) than in those with tie-in external fixation systems (49 per cent) or external fixation without tie-in (44 per cent). 17 These complication rates are comparable to that reported by Garcia-Perrierra and colleagues 16 (41 per cent), but they are considerably higher than that reported by Sasai and colleagues 15 (12 per cent). However, in Sasai and colleagues' study, fracture healing was the only outcome that was assessed, rather than limb deformity or functional recovery.…”

“…However, 34 died during the surgical procedure, and a further 22 died or were euthanased due to postoperative complications. 17 As most rabbits had sustained a fracture because of trauma, additional injuries may have contributed to these fatalities.…”

“…Hetterich and colleagues' study 17 further differs from previous studies 15,16 because it also included the owner's assessment of the long-term outcomes of fracture treatment. Overall, 75 per cent of owners reported a positive outcome, although the success rate appeared to depend In conclusion, Hetterichand colleagues' study provides practical information for the veterinary practitioner faced with a rabbit with a broken leg.…”