SIGNALMENT:

1 1/2-year-old female Fox Hound.
 
 

HISTORY:

The dog was taken hunting by her owner and disappeared. When she returned several hours later, she was non-weight-bearing on the right front leg.
 

DIAGNOSIS:

The owner took her to a local veterinarian who diagnosed a fracture of the right humerus secondary to a gunshot
(Figure 1).

Figure 1
Highly comminuted fracture of the right humerus secondary to a gunshot wound. Fragments of the bullet can be seen as metallic densities. 

Figure 2
Immediate postoperative view (AP) of the IM pin and KE fixation.

The dog was referred for evaluation of the fracture and possible fixation.
 
 

TREATMENT:

A limited open approach to the fracture was made and type 1 Kirschner-Ehmer (KE) apparatus applied along with a 1/8" IM pin. 

The IM pin was "tied-in" to the KE for additional stability (Figure 2).
 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT:

Thank you to Dr. Joe Landers, Heritage Veterinary Hospital, for this referral.
 
 

CASE ARCHIVES:

Click on Case Archives to access a list of past case features. 
 

Figure 3
12-week postoperative radiograph after implant removal showing bridging bone across both the cranial and caudal margins of the fractures. Fracture lines are still noted and woven bone, rather than lamellar bone, fills the fracture site.