The results from three osteosynthesis methods in cases of proximal, mid and distal fractures of radio and ulna in dogs were compared: the skeletal external fixation, plates and screws and the external immobilization. Shaft fractures of radius and ulna in dogs are frequent among the orthopedic morbid cases in Veterinary Medicine and their treatment deserves special attention, due to the high number of unsuccessful cases observed. The demographic data with reference to distribution and classification of fractures, as well as the method used for osteosynthesis and its consequences, were tabulated and the data were statistically compared. As results, from the 196 fractures observed, patients with up to 6.0 kilograms were the most affected (46.4%) with lesions mainly in the distal third (64.93% of the fractures). Animals that have been operated with smaller interval between the fracture occurrence and the surgery showed better results. There was a significant difference between osteosynthesis by external fixators and screwed plates when compared to external immobilization, independent on the fracture site.
Fractures; radius and ulna; diaphysis; osteosynthesis; dogs