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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2016; 29(05): 369-377
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-15-05-0175
Original Research
Schattauer GmbH

Analysis of risk factors for elbow dysplasia in giant breed dogs

Sarah Nemanic
1   Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
,
Britton K. Nixon
2   Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
,
Wendy Baltzer
1   Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
› Author AffiliationsFunding: Merial Veterinary Scholars Program grant to BKN, Clinical Research Grant from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University to SN.
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 27 October 2015

Accepted: 26 May 2016

Publication Date:
19 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

Objective: Identify radiographic risk factors for development of elbow dysplasia in giant breed dogs less than one year of age.

Methods: Twenty-five giant breed puppies (Bernese Mountain dogs, English Mastiff, and Newfoundland) were studied. Both elbows of each dog were radiographed monthly from two to six months of age, then every other month until radial and ulnar physeal closure, followed two months later by bilateral elbow computed tomography. Radiographic parameters measured included the presence or absence of a separate centre of ossification of the anconeal process (SCOAP), medial coronoid disease (MCD), ununited anconeal process, humeral osteochondrosis, elbow incongruity, as well as the length of the radius and ulna, radius-to-ulna ratio, and date of closure of the radial and ulnar physes.

Results: Fifteen dogs completed the study. Two Bernese Mountain dogs were diagnosed with MCD. Risk factors significantly associated with medial coronoid disease included dyssynchronous physeal closure and a decreased radius-to-ulna ratio, both detected between eight to 11 months of age. A separate centre of ossification of the anconeal process was present in 60% of the dogs, and was not a risk factor for development of elbow dysplasia.

Clinical significance: Transient, dyssynchronous growth of the radius and ulna may be a risk factor for development of MCD in Bernese Mountain dogs. Dyssynchronous physeal closure or decreased radius-to-ulna ratio prior to radiographic closure of the distal ulnar and radial physes warrants further study in Bernese Mountain dogs and other breeds subject to MCD development.

Keywords

Radiography - computed tomography - elbow dysplasia - giant breed dog
 

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