Prevalence of fractures in dogs and cats treated in Manhuaçu, Minas Gerais: Retrospective study from May 2021 to May 2022

ABSTRACT Orthopedic diseases are common in small animal clinics, with fractures being the most frequent, caused mainly by car accidents, trauma, fights, and ballistic projectiles. The objective was to conduct a retrospective study of fractures in dogs and cats treated at a Municipal Veterinary Clinic in Minas Gerais. The medical records and radiographic image files of the patients were accessed, comprising data from May 2021 to May 2022, totaling 30 cases. Of these, 16.67% (5) were spine, 16.67% (5) ribs, 3.33% (1) skull, 16.67% (5) femur, 23.33% (7) pelvis, 13.33% (4) radius and ulna, and 10.00% (3) tibia and fibula. The skull fracture was exclusive to a feline; of the seven pelvic fractures, two were in felines and of the three tibia and fibula fractures, one was in a feline. The lower percentage values observed in felines, compared to dogs, may be due to the greater care that feline owners show towards their animals. The findings highlight the importance of preventive measures, especially in controlling animal access to public roads, to reduce the occurrence of traumatic fractures.