Pelvic Fracture, Coxo-femoral Luxation in a Pregnant Nigerian Local Bitch Following Road Traffic Accident

Abstract

A road traffic accident is a life-threatening traumatic condition affecting man and animals. A 7- Year-old local bitch weighing 25 kg was presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH), Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto with the chief complaint of trauma following an automobile accident. At presentation, vital parameters were within normal range but the dog was on sternal recumbency. During clinical examination, there was an audible crepitating sound on rectal palpation. The mammary glands were engorged and ultrasonography revealed pregnancy with presence of viable foetuses. Dorsoventral radiography of the pelvic region revealed fracture of the pelvis and right coxo-femoral luxation. However, the bitch died over-night and was sent for post mortem, which revealed fracture of the right ilium and pubis with severe intra-muscular haemorrhages of the gluteus and quadriceps muscles. There was diaphragmatic hernia along with congested lungs and blood-tinged fluid in the thorax. There was also severe hydroperitoneum, rupture of the left uterine horn and six dead foetuses in-utero. The dog may have died of hypovolemic shock due to the traumatic injury.