Characteristics of Fractures of the Appendicular and Axial Skeletons in Rabbits and Hares: A Retrospective Study

 BACKGROUND: The frequency and characteristics of fractures may vary according to the environment. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to assess the fractures of the appendicular and axial skeletons in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and hares (Lepus sp.) presented at a veterinary teaching hospital. METHODS: Medical records and radiographs were retrospectively analyzed over eight years. RESULTS: Twenty-six pet rabbits and five free-ranging hares were enrolled in this study. Twenty-one of them had fractures in the appendicular skeleton, nine in the axial skeleton, and one in both. The fractures were related to traumatic events, such as being hit by a vehicle (۲۲.۵۸%), falling (۱۲.۹%), being attacked by another animal (۱۲.۹%), and having a paw stuck in a hole (۳.۲۲%); ۴۸.۳۸% had an unknown cause. Long bone fractures were found in the humerus (n=۲), radius/ulna (n=۱), femur (n=۵), and tibia (n=۱۲). Fractures involving the distal aspects of the limbs included the tarsus (n=۱) and metatarsus (n=۲) bones. Except for one rabbit, all of the others had unilateral fractures. Fourteen presented closed fractures, and nine were open fractures. All these fractures were complete, ۵۶.۵۲%% simple, and ۴۳.۴۷% multifragmental. The procedures used included osteosynthesis (۴۲.۸۵%), external coaptation (۲۸.۵۷%), amputation (۱۴.۲۸%), euthanasia (۴.۷۶%), and two animals died (۹.۵۲%). The fractures of the axial skeleton included the vertebral column (n=۶), mandible (n=۳), and pelvis (n=۲). Five fractures were treated conservatively, and the rabbits were euthanized in four cases. CONCLUSIONS: The fractures resulted from a traumatic episode, which had an unknown origin in most of the cases, involving mainly the appendicular skeleton, being the tibia the bone most affected.