الفهرس 
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Abstract
A retrospective study was carried out with the objectives of determining the incidence and associated risk factors of long bone fractures; establishing the types and frequency of occurrence of fractures of appendicular skeleton; determining existing protocols for the management of long bone fractures, and the associated complications and challenges. Data from a three-year period (2017–2020) was collected from medical records at Animal Hospital faculty of veterinary medicine Cairo University. The total number of the admitted cases to the hospital and the clinics during the current study period was 8337 pets (4625 dogs and 3712 cats) with a ratio of 55.5% to 44.5% respectively. Out of these, 216 surgically treated fracture cases were studied, of which 160 (74.1%) were dogs and 56 (25.9%) cats. Postoperative follow-up was done. Data on each case which included the diagnosis, date, month and year of occurrence, breed, gender, age, type of fracture, limb affected, bone affected and the description of the fracture, were obtained and recorded. Protocols for management of long bone fractures, associated complications and challenges were determined by analyzing data collected through structured questionnaires and review of patient records in participating practices. The highest incidences of the fracture cases were recorded in mongrel dogs and cats which may be due to the frequent exposure of stray animals to road traffic accidents. The age of affected dogs was less than one year and of one to three years old in cats. Higher incidence was recorded in male dogs and cats than female. Most of the long bone fractures in dogs and cats occurring in hind limbs were found in the femur, followed by tibia and fibula and in the fore limbs, the fracture of the radius and ulna in dogs and humerus in cats were the most common sites. Regarding the, site number and direction of the fracture line, the most common type of fracture encountered in both fore and hind limbs in dogs and cats was complete single transverse fracture in the diaphysis. Fracture management comprised external and internal fixation techniques. The most common internal fixation technique employed was intramedullary fixation alone or with other fixations. Other devices used included orthopedic wires, bone plates and bone screws. Cast bandage was used largely for external coaptation.Complications were encountered in 18.1-% of the cases in dogs and -16.3 % in cats . Delayed union, non union and implant failure were the most encountered complications. Osteomyelitis, implant migration, arthritis and wound infection were usually seen in cases with unstable comminuted fractures. The challenges of managing long bone fractures were non-compliance by the owners, limitations of resources and lack of appropriate surgical instrument, equipment and expertise. Record keeping was also noted as a major challenge in a number of practices.