Dynamic ultrasonographic measurement of passive coxofemoral joint laxity in puppies

A new method of dynamic ultrasonographic evaluation of passive coxofemoral joint laxity was used to examine a total of 30 greyhound (n = 13) and nongreyhound (n = 17) puppies. Puppies were evaluated sonographically at four, six, eight, 12, 16, and 26 weeks of age. The coxofemoral joints were distracted manually, and the femoral head displacements were measured during distraction. The greyhounds had significantly smaller (p less than 0.01) maximum distraction distance (mean +/- standard deviation [SD], 0.11 +/- 0.04 cm) than nongreyhound puppies (mean +/- SD, 0.26 +/- 0.10 cm). In six- to eight-week-old puppies, the maximum distraction distance was correlated significantly (p of 0.0001, adjusted correlation coefficient [r2] of 0.27) with stress radiographic indices. Coxofemoral joints interpreted as being abnormal on hip-extended radiographs taken at one year of age were associated significantly (p of 0.0001) with higher maximum distraction distances in six- to eight-week-old puppies.</jats:p

Idiopathic multifocal osteopathy in four Scottish terriers (1991-1996)

This case series describes four Scottish terriers with an osteopathic condition, characterized by multifocal absence of bone in the skull, cervical spine, and proximal radii, ulnae, and femora. All dogs were affected clinically; two dogs were euthanized due to progression of the disease, one died acutely, and one was euthanized for an oral melanoma. Histopathology in one case was characterized by osteoclastic osteolysis and replacement of bone with fibrous tissue. This disease has some characteristics of human osteolysis syndromes. Three of the dogs were related through pedigree analysis, and the pedigree of the other dog was not available. The name, idiopathic multifocal osteopathy, is used to describe a new disease in dogs, found particularly in Scottish terriers.</jats:p

Early detection of canine hip dysplasia: comparison of two palpation and five radiographic methods

Hip joint laxity was evaluated in four breeds (i.e., greyhound, Labrador retriever, Irish setter, hound mixed-breed) of puppies (n=32) by Ortolani's and Bardens' maneuvers, by subjective assessment of radiographs (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals [OFA] method), and by four radiographic measurement indices. Puppies were studied at four, six-to-10, 16-to-18, and 52 weeks of age. The purpose of this study was to compare palpation and radiographic methods of hip laxity detection in puppies for predicting the development of degenerative joint disease (DJD) by one year of age. Twenty-seven (42%) hips developed DJD. Ortolani's method was not a reliable predictor of hip dysplasia at six-to-10 weeks; it was significantly predictive at 16-to-18 weeks but had a high incidence of false negatives. Bardens' and subjective (OFA) assessment methods were not reliable at six-to-10 or 16-to-18 weeks. Radiographic measurements taken with femurs in a neutral position and hips distracted (distraction index [DI] and Norberg angle) and measurements taken with femurs extended in OFA position (Norberg angle) of six- to 10-week-old puppies accurately predicted DJD occurrence by one year of age (p less than 0.01). Distraction index measurement (PennHIP method) was the most accurate in predicting the development of DJD (p less than 0.001). Distraction index radiography in puppies six-to-10 and 16-to-18 weeks of age was the most reliable predictor of hip dysplasia. Norberg angle measurement was more reliable during hip distraction than when hips were measured in the OFA position in 16- to 18-week-old puppies, but had similar reliability in six- to 10-week-old puppies.</jats:p