Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Chihuahua puppy limping from elbow bone fragment treated with surgery
By Hadley, H S et al.·Published in Veterinary and comparative orthopaedics and traumatology : V.C.O.T·2009·Wheat Ridge Veterinary Specialists, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Traumatic fragmented medial coronoid process in a Chihuahua.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 14-month-old Chihuahua was brought in for moderate limping on the left front leg that started about four weeks after an injury. A CT scan revealed a fragmented piece of bone in the elbow, which was causing the lameness. The veterinarian performed surgery to remove the fragment and fix the joint, and the dog showed a quick recovery after the procedure. This case highlights that even small breeds can experience this type of elbow issue, which is often seen in larger dogs.
People also search for: Chihuahua limping · fragmented coronoid process treatment · dog elbow surgery recovery
Abstract
Fragmented medial coronoid process (FMCP) is a disease process that has not previously been reported in toy-breed dogs. This report describes a presumptive case of FMCP in a 14-month-old Chihuahua that was presented for evaluation approximately four weeks following acute onset of moderate lameness in the left forelimb. Definitive diagnosis of a fragmented medial coronoid process was based upon computed tomography (CT) scan. A CT scan also demonstrated moderate joint incongruity in the affected elbow. Surgical removal of the fragment and subtotal coronoidectomy were performed via a medial arthrotomy. An ulnar ostectomy was also performed to address joint incongruity. Histology of specimens removed at surgery did not demonstrate evidence of microdamage as characteristic of FMCP in large breed dogs, and instead, suggested that the fracture was acute and traumatic in nature. Rapid return to function was observed following surgery.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19597637/