Retrospective study on vertebral fractures in dogs

Vertebral fractures in dogs can lead to serious neurological damage and even death. These injuries are often the result of traumatic incidents or underlying health conditions. A study was conducted at the Veterinary Clinical Complex, Veterinary College, Bidar, covering the period from March 2023 to July 2025. The study focused on cases where vertebral fractures were confirmed using radiography, myelography and Computed Tomography (CT). Data collected included the dog's breed, age, sex, weight, the cause of injury, the location of the vertebral fracture, neurological status at presentation and the outcome. Out of 14,032 dogs examined during the study period, 2,091 were referred to the surgical department. Among these, 742 were orthopaedic cases and 1,349 were soft tissue cases of the 742 orthopaedic patients, 67 had conditions affecting the vertebral column. Vertebral fractures were diagnosed in 9.02% of these cases. The thoracolumbar region (T11-L2) and the lumbar spine (L3-L7) were the most frequently affected areas. Most fractures resulted from trauma, including road traffic accidents, dog attacks and falls. Younger dogs were more commonly affected. All cases exhibited neurological deficits and the severity of these deficits at the time of presentation had a significant impact on survival chances. Vertebral fractures in dogs are primarily trauma-related and their occurrence varies depending on the dog’s breed size and the location of the injury along the spine. Early detection and careful assessment of neurological function are essential for predicting outcomes.