The epidemiology of osteochondrosis in an insured Swedish dog population

Osteochondrosis (OC) is a focal disturbance of endochondral ossification due to a failure of blood supply to the epiphyseal growth cartilage. In dogs, OC most commonly affects the shoulder joint, followed by the elbow, tarsal, and stifle joints. The condition is associated with clinical signs such as lameness and pain and the prognosis varies depending on the affected joint. Most epidemiologic studies of OC in dogs were performed over 20 years ago, and updated estimates of disease incidence are lacking. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to provide population-based estimates of the incidence rate, cause-specific mortality rate, and age at diagnosis of appendicular OC (AOC, including OC of the shoulder, elbow, stifle, and tarsal joints) and stifle and tarsal OC separately, using data from Agria Djurförsäkring in Sweden (2011-2016). Further, the study aimed to evaluate the risk of OC in subgroups divided by breed and sex and describe previous, concurrent, and subsequent diagnoses of the affected joint in dogs with stifle or tarsal joint OC. The study population included just over 600,000 dogs, of which 685 were affected by AOC. Stifle joint OC (n = 113) was more common than tarsal joint OC (n = 80). The incidence rate of AOC was 3.77 (95% confidence interval (CI): 3.49-4.07) cases per 10,000 dog-years at risk, while the incidence rate of stifle and joint tarsal OC was 0.64 (95% CI: 0.53-0.77) and 0.43 (95% CI: 0.34-0.54) cases per 10,000 dog-years at risk, respectively. All breeds at increased risk of AOC were large or giant, and male dogs had an increased risk of AOC compared to female dogs (RR 1.76, 95% CI: 1.50-2.07, p < 0.001). The median age at first diagnosis during the study period was 0.74 (0.32-11.5) years for AOC, 2.62 (0.45-8.82) years for stifle joint OC, and 0.73 (0.35-7.35) years for tarsal joint OC. Of the dogs with stifle or tarsal joint OC, 30.2% and 15.0% had a previous diagnosis of stifle/tarsal joint pain or other unspecific clinical signs, respectively, and 13.8% of the dogs with stifle joint OC suffered subsequent cruciate ligament rupture. Osteochondrosis was the most common reason for euthanasia in the affected dogs. In total, 77 dogs were euthanised due to AOC during the study period.

Usefulness of Imaging Techniques in the Diagnosis of Selected Injuries and Lesions of the Canine Tarsus. A Review

Simple Summary

Tarsal joint lesions are uncommon in dogs but may lead to serious health problems. The most common diseases involving the tarsal joint are osteochondrosis, fractures and injuries of the Achilles tendon. The basis for the diagnosis of lesions in the tarsus is a thorough orthopedic examination, sometimes performed under sedation. Imaging modalities such as radiography, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography can facilitate the detection and assessment of lesions in the canine tarsal joint. The aim of this paper is to characterize and compare the usefulness of imaging techniques available in veterinary medicine for the diagnosis and evaluation of lesions and injuries affecting the tarsal joint in dogs.

Abstract

Tarsus lesions are not common in dogs, but they can cause serious health problem. They can lead to permanent changes in the joint and, in dogs involved in canine sports, to exclusion from training. The most common diseases and injuries involving the tarsal joint are osteochondrosis, fractures and ruptures of the Achilles tendon. These conditions can be diagnosed primarily through accurate orthopedic examination, but even this may be insufficient for performing a proper diagnosis. Imaging modalities such as radiography, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography can facilitate the detection and assessment of lesions in the canine tarsal joint. This review paper briefly presents some characteristics of the above-mentioned imaging techniques, offering a comparison of their utility in the diagnosis of lesions and injuries involving the canine tarsus.

Isolated Articular Fractures of the Canine Talus: Diagnosis and Signalment in Fourteen Dogs

OBJECTIVE

 The aim of this retrospective multicentre case series was to describe signalment, presenting signs and imaging findings in dogs with isolated articular fractures of the talus.

STUDY DESIGN

 Medical records (2008-2019) of dogs with isolated articular talar fractures were reviewed.

RESULTS

 Fourteen dogs met the inclusion criteria; affected breeds were four German Pointer (three shorthair and one wirehaired), three Labrador Retrievers, two Rottweilers, two Springer Spaniels, one cross breed, one Greyhound and one Great Münsterländer. The age range was 1 to 8 years with a median of 4.7 years. Lameness was usually acute in onset and had been present for a range of 4 to 540 days prior to referral.The most common fracture configuration involved the lateral trochlear ridge only (n = 9). Two of the fourteen fractures affected both trochlear ridges. Thirteen dogs were initially assessed radiographically with classic orthogonal views, but a fracture was only visible in five cases. The remainder were confirmed with further radiographic projections (n = 4) or computed tomography (n = 5). In one case, the lameness was located to the tarsus by scintigraphy.

CONCLUSION

 Isolated articular fracture of the talus is rare and may prove a diagnostic challenge due to the varied presentations and complex anatomy of the bone. Pathology of the talus may be suspected in any case of lameness localized to the tarsus and oblique/skyline radiographic views or advanced imaging should be performed if standard radiographic views are unremarkable.