6 month old labrador retriever with front limb problem

Re: 6 month old labrador retriever with front limb problem

Camilla Edwards — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 08:56:34 GMT

Thanks all so much for your help. In the end with discussion with the client we have decided to refer from the beginning in this case.

I will certainly be intrigued to find out what happens though!

Re: 6 month old labrador retriever with front limb problem

Malcolm Ness — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 08:23:22 GMT

It would be useful to see some photos of the pup.

Bilateral elbow dysplasia (ED) will cause bilateral medial elbow discomfort and the reaction of the patient is a postural alteration with out-turning of the fore-limbs. The paws tend to point out at "11 o clock" and "one o clock" rather than straight ahead. The wrists often appear bent mimicking a carpal valgus.

On the basis that common things occur commonly, ED is most likely. Careful clinical exam might reveal elbow discomfort on extension and possibly evidence of elbow joint effusion/synovitis.

If you radiograph, use GA and collect orthogonal, well positioned views of each elbow including fully ( and I mean fully) flexed laterals. Two views of each wrist and at least one lateralof each full antebrachium are needed to rule-in or rule-out the growth plate problems that were mentioned above. If there is any evidence of angular limb deformity related to growth plate pathology, this should be passed sooner rather than later to a competent ortho surgeon.

Clinical signs of ED tend to appear before radiographic changes so radiographic studies can be frustratingly unhelpful.

Most of these dogsa will improve massively with NSAIDs but don't mis-interpret that as cure!

Re: 6 month old labrador retriever with front limb problem

Laurence Webb — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 18:29:58 GMT

Yes - sounds like carpal valgus.

I'd X-ray both to look at the carpi but also check for premature closure of the ulnar growth plate and also dysplasia/subluxation of the elbow caused by a bowstring effect of the ulna.

Intervention at this stage (ulnar osteotomy) may prevent furhter problems as the dog matures.

Re: 6 month old labrador retriever with front limb problem

Camilla Edwards — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:06:16 GMT

(sorry if this posts twice, it just seemed to disappear!)

figured out the terminology - the dog has valgus in the lower limb.

Re: 6 month old labrador retriever with front limb problem

Camilla Edwards — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:05:13 GMT

just figured out the terminology! So I think he has valgus in the lower limb.

Re: 6 month old labrador retriever with front limb problem

Camilla Edwards — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 13:49:18 GMT

Hi,

Thanks for your reply Mark.

The limbs weren't pronated either, I know it's difficult to describe - i should have taken a picture!

If I am looking at the dog from the front (face to face) then I imagine the limbs should go straight down, however this dog the line deviates laterally at the metacarpals.

x-rays may well be a good starting point though.

Camilla

Re: 6 month old labrador retriever with front limb problem

Mark Holmes — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 12:43:34 GMT

Pronation of the distal limb can be a symptom of elbow pain and being a labrador, elbow displasia is a differential. Lameness can be difficult to see if the dog is bilaterally lame.

Other considerations such as angular deformities are possible, difficult without seeing the dog but if worried you could radiograph, at least that would give you a baseline to check against if the problem looked worse say in 4-6 weeks.