“Kool” is a 6 month-old, male entire greyhound dog that was running at speed when he became suddenly non-weight bearing lame on the right forelimb.
A radiographic examination (flexed lateral and craniocaudal projections) revealed the following changes:
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What is your diagnosis?
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What treatment is indicated?
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What is the long term prognosis for this racing greyhound?
Answers
The diagnosis is a fracture through the articular portion of the anconeal procees. The anconeus has a separate centre of ossification in some large breed dogs, but not all dogs. At first glance, it may appear to be an un-united anconeal process, however the dog became acutely non-weight bearing lame during racing and has no evidence of degenerative changes in the elbow. This fracture line extends in a slightly different plane to the physis of the anconeus, when present. The contralateral limb was radiographed and was normal. This is an unusual and uncommon fracture.
The dog was taken to surgery and a screw placed across the fracture line. The articular nature of the fracture made long term prognosis for full return to function somewhat guarded at the time of sugery, but the dog recovered quickly after the surgical repair. At a 6 week recheck there was evidence of healing and no evidence of any degenerative changes occuring in the elbow joint. Based on the lack of lameness or degenerative changes at the 6-week recheck, he may go on to have a racing career.
