Page 205 - Canine Lameness

13.3 ­FractFres ofctrf rFrral reg o 177

(E)

(A) (C) (F) CARPAL REGION

(B) (D) (G)

Figure 13.4 Radial fractures: (A, B) distal radius ulna fracture; (C, D) SH Type I fracture of the distal radius,
note the widening of the physis (black arrow) and soft tissue swelling (white arrow), (E) is the contralateral
normal limb for comparison; (F, G) SH Type II fracture of the distal radius: the white arrow indicates the
metaphyseal portion.

radial carpal bone has been suggested as an underlying etiology (Gnudi et al. 2003; Perry et al. 2010).
An ulnar carpal bone fracture has been reported in a Labrador Retriever (Vedrine 2013). A slab frac-
ture of the fourth carpal bone has been reported in a racing Greyhound (Rutherford and Ness 2012).

13.3.1 Signalment and History
Traumatic fractures may be observed in any breed or age of dog. Distal radius/ulna fractures are
frequently observed in Toy-breed dogs without a history of trauma. Commonly, these fractures or
observed after falling or minor jumping (e.g. off the couch). This is related to the proportionally
reduced cross-sectional diameter of the distal radius in these dogs (Brianza et al. 2006) compared
to large-breed dogs, who more frequently sustain carpal hyperextension injuries instead.