Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
English bulldog sternum dislocation fixed with surgery after fall
By Serra, C I et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2015·Department of Applied and Technological Sciences, Spain·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Surgical management of a traumatic dislocation of the sternum in an English bulldog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 9-year-old English bulldog was brought to the vet after having trouble breathing and showing signs of discomfort following a fall down the stairs. X-rays showed that part of the dog's sternum was dislocated. The vet performed surgery to fix the sternum using a special plate for support. The dog recovered quickly, with normal breathing and heart rate within 24 hours, although it had some difficulty getting up for the first two weeks. After that, the dog made a full recovery and showed no issues during follow-ups months later.
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Abstract
A nine-year-old English bulldog presented with an acute history of dyspnoea, tachycardia and discomfort localising to the ventral thorax following a fall down the stairs that morning. After the dog was stabilised, thoracic radiographs revealed a luxation of the third and fourth sternebrae with dorsal displacement of the caudal segment. The sternum was reduced and stabilised with a contoured 12-hole 3 · 5-mm dynamic compression plate applied to the ventral surface of the sternum. The dog's initial recovery was rapid, cardiorespiratory parameters returning to normal in the first 24 hours. For 2 weeks postoperatively the dog exhibited difficulty in rising from a prone position. After this time there was a full recovery. Clinical examination at 8 months postoperatively did not reveal any abnormalities. Telephone follow-up was performed at 18 months and no complications or cardiorespiratory compromise were reported. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of a traumatic dislocation of the sternum and its management in the dog.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25377357/