Anconeus muscle injury in a juvenile greyhound.

OBJECTIVE: To report anconeus muscle injury in a greyhound. ANIMAL: One 11-month-old female greyhound. STUDY DESIGN: Case report METHODS: The dog presented with a 6-week history of mild left foreleg lameness. Moderate pain was noted by palpation over the proximolateral ulna and distolateral humerus and by maximal elbow flexion. A laminar periosteal reaction on the caudodistal humerus was present on radiographs. At ultrasonic examination, disorganization of anconeus muscle fibers, and focal mixed echogenicity were noted. Precontrast and postcontrast computed tomography (CT) revealed a thin rim of periosteal new bone on the caudodistal humerus as well as heterogeneous contrast enhancement of soft tissue immediately caudal to the distal humerus. An unrelated greyhound cadaver dissection confirmed only the anconeus muscle attached to the site of noted periosteal reaction. A partial tear of the anconeus muscle was diagnosed. Treatment consisted of 4 weeks of oral meloxicam. Confinement space and exercise were incrementally increased over 14 weeks. RESULTS: Muscle healing was confirmed by ultrasonography and CT. The dog was able to have a successful racing career spanning 2 years with no lameness attributable to the previous anconeus muscle injury and retired for unrelated reasons. CONCLUSION: Radiography and ultrasonography helped diagnose anconeal muscle injury, and conservative management led to full return to function. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Clinicians should include anconeus muscle injury as a differential diagnosis in dogs with lameness and pain over the proximolateral ulna or distolateral humerus or on elbow flexion.

Biceps brachii and brachialis tendon of insertion injuries in eleven racing greyhounds.

OBJECTIVE: To report injuries of the biceps brachii (BTI) or brachialis (BrTI) tendons of insertion in 11 racing Greyhounds. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. ANIMALS: Greyhounds (n=11). METHODS: Medical records (1990-2006) of racing Greyhound dogs with BTI injuries were reviewed. Preinjury, injury, and posttreatment information was obtained via trainer telephone questionnaire and individual greyhound race data. Outcomes between surgical and conservative management were compared. RESULTS: Dogs had elbow hyperextension, positive biceps test, and forelimb circumduction and 82% were male, whereas Queensland's male to female ratio of racing Greyhounds was almost equal. Eight dogs had right BTI injuries. Nine dogs had surgically confirmed tendon injuries: 5 combined BTI and BrTI, 2 mid-body BTI, 1 musculotendinous BTI, and 1 ulnar tuberosity avulsion fracture. Seven dogs were treated surgically (3 loop pulley sutures, single radial screw and washer, suture screws or fracture fixation in lag fashion), 2 dogs were euthanatized at surgery, 2 were rehomed and hence managed conservatively. All surgically treated dogs returned to near preinjury performance; 6 returned to racing and at least 4 won races in the same or higher grade. One conservatively managed dog returned to "pet" function. No dog reinjured its BTI or BrTI. CONCLUSION: BTI and BrTI avulsions are rare acute traumatic performance injuries of racing Greyhounds. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Preinjury racing performance can be achieved with early surgical repair of BTI and BrTI and optimal postoperative management.