Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with leishmaniasis and hypothyroidism treated for severe ankle
By Franch, J et al.·Published in The Veterinary record·2004·Department of Surgery, Spain·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Management of leishmanial osteolytic lesions in a hypothyroid dog by partial tarsal arthrodesis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old male boxer was brought in because he couldn't put weight on his left back leg. The vet found severe swelling and bone damage in the dog's ankle, linked to an active leishmaniasis infection (a disease caused by parasites). After treating the infection with medications, the vet performed surgery to stabilize the ankle and prevent fractures. Five months later, the dog's leg had healed completely, and he was able to walk normally again.
People also search for: boxer dog limping · leishmaniasis treatment in dogs · dog ankle surgery recovery
Abstract
A five-year-old male boxer, previously diagnosed with leishmaniasis and hypothyroidism, had gradually become unable to bear weight on its left hindlimb. Physical examination revealed a left popliteal lymphadenopathy, mild crepitus, and severe swelling of the left tarsal joint, a radiographic examination of which revealed severe bone destruction of the talus and a periosteal reaction of the calcaneus. Laboratory findings and serological tests suggested an active leishmanial infection, and a Leishmania species was identified by direct cytology of a sample from the osteolytic area and by indirect immunohistochemistry of a bone biopsy. The dog's condition improved when it was treated with meglumine antimonate and allopurinol. Because of the large osteolytic area and the increased use of the affected leg, a partial tarsal arthrodesis was performed to prevent a fracture. Five months after the surgery, the osteolytic area had healed completely and the calcaneus periosteal reaction had disappeared.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15559422/