Surgical Treatment of Radio-Ulnar Fractures in Miniature Breed Puppies

Miniature breed patients, an 11-month-old Chihuahua named Tuko and a 4-month-old Yorkshire Terrier named Louie, were diagnosed at Veterinarium with a radio-ulnar fracture (AO type 22A3).

This type of fracture is particularly common in miniature breeds. Their antebrachial bones are very thin and fragile, and the blood supply is relatively limited, which means such fractures can be difficult to heal and carry a higher risk of delayed union or non-union. For this reason, treating these injuries requires a high level of precision and surgical experience.

Both patients underwent surgical treatment consisting of open fracture reduction and metal osteosynthesis using a locking titanium plate. This is a technically demanding orthopedic procedure, as the very small bone size in miniature breeds requires millimeter-level precision from the surgeon.

The surgeries were performed by Veterinarium’s HeadVeterinarian, Dr. Lasha-Giorgi Japaridze, while anesthesia was managed by Natia Robakidze. During both procedures, the surgeon was assisted by Luka Ghlonti, a Master’s student in the Veterinary Medicine program at the Agricultural University of Georgia.

2 weeks after surgery, both Tuko and Louie are already using the affected limb well, and the rehabilitation process is progressing successfully.