Lameness 4 weeks after stabilization predicts long-term complications in small ruminants with long-bone fractures

To describe clinical features, management strategies, outcomes, and potential prognostic indicators for long-bone fractures in small ruminants. We hypothesized that complication rates would exceed those previously reported.

This was a retrospective observational study evaluating sheep and goats with radiographically confirmed long-bone fractures treated at a single veterinary teaching hospital (December 2014 to July 2025). Medical records and radiographs were reviewed to characterize demographics, fracture features, treatments, and complications. Associations between variables and outcomes were explored with χ2 and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Primary outcomes were short- and long-term complications.

58 small ruminants with 69 fractures were included. Hind limb fractures predominated (38 of 58 [65.5%]); the most frequently affected bones were the metatarsus III/IV (21 of 69 [30.4%]) and tibia (15 of 69 [21.7%]). Most fractures were closed (56 of 69 [81.2%]) and complete (67 of 69 [97.1%]). Among stabilized animals, casting was the most common primary method (22 of 44 [50.0%]). Survival to discharge was 86.2% (50 of 58). Among animals with follow-up available, short- and long-term complications occurred in 24 of 31 (77.4%) and 17 of 23 (73.9%), respectively. Lameness at 4 weeks after stabilization was strongly associated with long-term complications.

Long-bone fractures in small ruminants were associated with a high frequency of complications. Lameness 4 weeks after stabilization may be a clinically useful early indicator of poor long-term outcome. In this cohort, casting was most often associated with favorable outcomes in closed metatarsus III/IV fractures.

These results supported case selection and client counselling by identifying fracture characteristics for which casting may be most appropriate. Additionally, they highlighted poststabilization lameness as a potential prognostic indicator.