CLINICAL STUDIES ON ANGULAR LIMB DEFORMITIES OF ANTEBRACHIAM IN DOGS
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Date
2023-07
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SRI VENKATESWARA VETERINARY UNIVERSITY, TIRUPATI - 517 502. (A.P.) INDIA
Abstract
Thirty dogs of different age groups (2-6 months, 7-12 months and above 1 year) with
angular deformities of ante brachium were selected to study incidence, to assess angular limb
deformities with Center of Rotation of Angulation (CORA) method radiographically and to
classify the angular limb deformities based on radiographic findings. Further these dogs were
divided into two groups of 15 each to study the effect of nutraceuticals for the management of
angular limb deformities in dogs.
Cases with clinical signs suggestive of antebrachial angular limb deformities were
considered for the study. The incidence of antebrachial angular limb deformities was recorded as
3.04 % over a period for 1 year. The most represented dogs were German Shepherd (8, 26.66 %)
followed by Mongrel (7, 23.33 %). The highest incidence of antebrachial angular limb deformity
in dogs was recorded in the age group of 2-6 months (13, 43.33 %). Male dogs (18, 60 %)
showed higher incidence of antebrachial angular limb deformities than female (12, 40 %). The
highest incidence of these deformities was due to premature closure of distal physis of radius and
ulna.
The affected antebrachium was subjected to lateral and craniocaudal views to evaluate
the etiology and to facilitate CORA planning. CORA planning was performed by using
orthogonal radiographs to determine the joint orientation angles, plane, type of deformity and
number of deformities in both frontal and sagittal plane.
Out of 32 affected limbs of 30 dogs presented were categorized of having 25 uniapical
deformities and 7 biapical deformities. Further among biapical deformities, all were of having
partially compensated brachial deformities. Overall, irrespective of age group uniapical
deformities has higher incidence followed by biapical deformities. Further among biapical
deformities, more of partially compensated brachial deformities were recorded.
The plane of deformity in group I dogs was frontal in eight and sagittal in four limbs and
biplanar in three limbs out of 15 limbs in 13 dogs. The plane of deformity in group II dogs was
frontal in two, sagittal in two and biplanar in six dogs. The plane of deformity in group III dogs
was frontal in two, sagittal in two and biplanar in three dogs.
The total dogs (n=30) with angular limb deformities of random age were divided into 2
groups of 15 each to study the effect of nutraceuticals for the management of angular limb
deformities in dogs. Group I dogs were given oral calcium @ 25 mg/kg, twice a day for 2
months and group II was treated with oral calcium @ 25 mg/kg, twice a day for 2 months and
oral vitamin D3 @ 4000 IU/kg weekly for 6 weeks.
In both the groups, there was substantial reduction in severity of clinical signs related to
pain and lameness although the bowing of limbs could show only mild improvement. When
compared to group I, group II dogs showed satisfactory to good clinical response in terms of
improvement in weight bearing, reduction in lameness and pain, and decrease in the enlargement
of metaphyses and straightening of forelimbs in affected dogs. However, these improvements
were observed mostly in the dogs below 8 months age and there was no significant improvement
in dogs above 8 months age group in both the groups.
The serum calcium level significantly increased on day 45 in group I dogs whereas in
group II the serum calcium levels increased significantly on day 30. The phosphorus levels in
both the groups showed increase in values with no significant difference. In group I and II dogs
the ALP values started declining from day 15, but significant decrease is noted on day 60 in
group I and day 45 in group II.
It is concluded that Center of Rotation of Angulation (CORA) method is ideal to
determine plane, type and magnitude of deformity for accurate and precise correction of
antebrachial angular limb deformities. Reference ranges for normal frontal and sagittal plane
alignment should be used for correctional techniques in animals that do not have a normal
contralateral antebrachium. Biapical and multiapical radial deformities represent unique
challenges for postoperative correction. In the present study, irrespective of age group uniapical
deformities has higher incidence followed by biapical deformities. Further among biapical
deformities, more of partially compensated brachial deformities were recorded.
Many animals with mild growth deformities can be managed non-surgically. In
general, the smaller and more sedentary a dog, the greater the chance for non-surgical
management especially in immature dogs. Further, our study shows that treatment of dogs
having ante brachial limb deformities with vitamin D3 and Ca for 60 days could result into
correction of clinical signs, levels of serum biochemical parameters and angular limb deformities
when compared to Ca supplementation alone. However, in adult dogs, corrective surgery is
elective and thus can be considered at any time if the response to conservative management is
unsatisfactory.