Page 174 - Canine Lameness

Table 12.1 Key features for selected diseases affecting the distal limb region.
Disease Common signalment Exam findings Diagnostic test of choice Treatment Clinical pearls Terminology
Fractures/ Any breed or age – racing Pain, swelling, Survey radiographs, External coaptation The choice between
luxations Greyhounds develop stress/ crepitus, and possibly rarely CT for complex or surgical fixation surgical vs.
fatigue fractures instability or fractures nonsurgical treatment
deviations is controversial and
depends on severity/
digits involved
Other trauma Any breed or age Laceration, stabs, and Clinical appearance, When appropriate, Trauma to the distal
foreign body radiographs, and suturing and surgical limb is common and
penetrations and ultrasound to detect exploration frequently missed
splits involvement of
underlying structures or
potential foreign bodies
Osteoarthritis More commonly seen in Initial pain with later Survey radiographs Nonsurgical, rarely May be overuse injury
adult animals. thickening and arthrodesis or
Metacarpophalangeal stiffening of the joint, amputation
joints IV and V more variable lameness,
common than II and III can be associated
with “flat digits”
Sesamoid Mainly racing Greyhounds Focal pain and Survey radiographs Nonsurgical or Can be differentiated Sesamoiditis and
disease and young Rottweilers. swelling. Reduced or CT surgical excision from bipartite sesamoid fracture
Sesamoids II and VII of flexion of adjacent sesamoids via
either thoracic limb most joint(s) imaging and lack of
commonly pain
affected – others can be
involved if traumatic origin
Digital flexor Any breed, more likely Digit(s) flattened Radiographs to detect Appositional suturing Injury can occur “Dropped toe”
muscle and athletic individuals with isolated SDF bony changes; of acutely transected anywhere along the (SDF); “Kicked
tendon injury injury; last phalanx ultrasound to localize muscle and tendons. length of the muscle up toe” or
and claw angled site, extent, and stage of For less severe or “knocked up toe”
dorsally with the disease chronic strains and (DDF)
combined DDF and nonsurgical
SDF injury management

0004507095.INDD 146 12/10/2019 1:23:55 PM