İstanbul Sultangazi Sahipsiz Hayvan Geçici Bakımevi’ne Getirilen Kedi ve Köpeklerde Topallık Problemlerinin Retrospektif Değerlendirilmesi

Objective: The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate lameness problems in cats and dogs brought to the shelter. Materials and Methods: The study material consisted of 75 cats and 25 dogs of different breeds, ages and sexes (n=100) brought to the temporary care center for stray animals between 2023 and 2024 with the complaint of lameness. Clinical, orthopedic and radiologic examinations were performed and the affected limb and pathology were determined. The gender of the cases, the dates they were brought during the year, the extremities and anatomical localizations where lameness was observed, and the disease conditions that caused lameness were examined. Conservative or surgical procedures were selected as treatment. Results: Cats were 43 females and 32 males and dogs were 12 females and 13 males. Cats were brought with lameness in July-February and dogs in September-March. Radiologically, 90.6% of cats had fractures, 5.5% had luxation, 2.6% had cruciate ligament rupture and 1.3% had periostitis; 88% of dogs had fractures, 4% had cruciate ligament rupture, 4% had luxation and 4% had angular deformity. 21.3% of cats and 20% of dogs had multiple fractures. 1.33% of cats were treated conservatively and 98.67% surgically; 4% of dogs were treated conservatively and 96% surgically. Uncomplicated healing and complete functional return were achieved in all cases. Conclusion: It was observed that orthopedic and radiologic examinations of stray cats and dogs brought to the animal shelter with the complaint of lameness resulted in rapid and accurate diagnosis and effective treatments, and it was concluded that the retrospective evaluation in this study will provide important information about the approach to fracture cases in shelter medicine.