Juvenile Disease Processes Affecting the Forelimb in Canines.

Several juvenile diseases affect the canine forelimb. The most common are hypertrophic osteodystrophy, panosteitis, and retained cartilaginous core. Panosteitis and hypertrophic osteodystrophy tend to be self-limiting, with a good long-term prognosis, although severe cases can develop. These diseases may recur during growth. Severe cases of hypertrophic osteodystrophy can lead to angular limb deformities and may even be fatal. Retained cartilaginous cores can be benign with no evidence of clinical signs and be found incidentally on radiographs. However, if they disrupt the distal ulnar physis, angular limb deformities may persist requiring surgical intervention with a corrective osteotomy.

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy in an adult macaque.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate through differential diagnosis whether hypertrophic osteoarthropathy was present on an adult macaque skeleton. MATERIALS: Skeletal remains of a well-preserved adult macaque (Macaca) of unknown species curated by the archaeology department at University College London. METHODS: Macroscopic and radiographic evaluation of pathological lesions. RESULTS: Widespread bilateral and symmetrical periosteal new bone growth primarily affecting the limbs was observed. CONCLUSION: A careful differential diagnosis of the lesions and comparison with previously published cases of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy among humans and non-humans suggests this animal displays a case of Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy. SIGNIFICANCE: Only been three reported cases of HOA in non-human primates have been reported, and all were apes. This study serves as the first reported case of HOA among non-hominoid simians, providing a detailed description of the skeletal lesions to aid future with paleopathological analyses. LIMITATIONS: Small sample sizes for comparison and lack of context for this specimen limits discussion of the scope of this disease among non-human primates. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Re-evaluate skeletal collections which have not been subject to recent osteological and pathological analysis.

Hypertrophic osteopathy associated with two pulmonary tumours and myocardial metastases in a dog: a case report.

CASE HISTORY: A 16-year-old dog was presented to the University of Melbourne Veterinary Clinic and Hospital for dyspnoea and tachypnoea, which had been occurring over the previous 48 h prior to presentation. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Physical examination findings included marked wheezing and inspiratory noises on thoracic auscultation. Diagnostic tests performed revealed a large pulmonary mass, the presence of hypertrophic osteopathy in the forelimbs and an abnormal myocardium. The patient continued to deteriorate while in hospital, and was euthanased at the owner's request. A post-mortem examination was carried out, which revealed the presence of two separate pulmonary masses, one of which was completely occluding the mainstem bronchus. DIAGNOSIS: One tumour was histologically classified as an adenocarcinoma, the other as an extraskeletal osteosarcoma. The osteosarcoma had metastasised to the myocardium, spleen and kidneys. The forelimb changes were consistent with hypertrophic osteopathy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is the first reported case of two separate pulmonary masses in a dog, one of which metastasised to the myocardium. Hypertrophic osteopathy is a common pathological condition associated with a broad spectrum of diseases. The aim of this case report is to highlight the condition and remind clinicians of its relatively common incidence, as well as to prompt clinicians to look for underlying pathology. The current understanding of the pathophysiology of hypertrophic osteopathy is also discussed.

A case of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy in a Belgian blue cow.

A 12-year-old cow was presented with chronic respiratory disease and lameness. Chronic pleuritis, pneumonia, and bronchial carcinoma were found as well as periosteal proliferation on limb bones. Ancillary tests and necropsy confirmed a combined pathology of pulmonary inflammation and neoplasm, and hypertrophic pulmonary osteopathy.

Hypertrophic osteopathy associated with infective endocarditis in an adult boxer dog.

A 20-month-old, entire male boxer dog was presented with lethargy and intermittent shifting limb lameness. Diagnostic tests revealed aortic valve vegetations suggestive of infective endocarditis causing severe aortic outflow obstruction, and hypertrophic osteopathy of all four limbs. The dog was treated symptomatically and euthanised four days later. The association of infective endocarditis and hypertrophic osteopathy has been poorly documented in the veterinary literature. The pathogenesis of hypertrophic osteopathy is unknown; however, four theories have been put forth to explain this disease: pulmonary shunting, vagal nerve stimulation, humoral substances produced by neoplastic cells and megakaryocyte/platelet clump hypothesis.

Congenital megaesophagus with hypertrophic osteopathy in a 6-year-old dog.

Congenital megaesophagus is often sufficiently debilitating to a young puppy to result in an owner's request for euthanasia. If medically managed, some puppies may develop a functional esophagus and mature normally; in others, the dilation may persist, but nutritional support may be sufficient to allow skeletal maturation. Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy or hypertrophic osteopathy is well recognized in many animal species. Pulmonary neoplasia is most commonly associated with development of the secondary bone changes, but numerous other causes exist. The chronic changes of hypertrophic osteopathy were identified in a 6-year-old German Shepherd that was debilitated by persistent congenital megaesophagus. To the investigators' knowledge, a relationship between long-term esophageal dilatation and hypertrophic osteopathy has only been reported once in a human patient.

Development of hypertrophic osteodystrophy and antibody response in a litter of vaccinated Weimaraner puppies.

Two different vaccination protocols were compared with regard to the development of hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD) (also termed metaphyseal osteopathy) and effectiveness of immunisation in a litter of 10 Weimaraner puppies. Five puppies (group 1) were vaccinated with a modified live canine parvovirus vaccine (CPV) and then two weeks later with a trivalent vaccine containing modified live canine distemper virus and adenovirus type 2 combined with a Leptospira bacterin (DHL). The CPV and DHL vaccine protocols were administered a further two times, at two-week intervals. Group 2 was vaccinated with three consecutive multivalent vaccines containing modified live canine distemper virus, canine parvovirus, parainfluenza and adenovirus type 2 combined with a Leptospira bacterin, at four-week intervals. All puppies were first vaccinated at the age of eight weeks. Three dogs in group 1 developed HOD, while all five dogs in group 2 developed HOD during the study period. Dogs in group 2 had more episodes of HOD than those in group 1. Dogs in group 1 developed higher antibody titres to canine distemper virus and parvovirus compared with those in group 2. Only two out of the 10 dogs developed protective antibody titres to parvovirus. The results of this study suggest that the two different vaccination protocols affected the pattern of appearance of HOD and immunisation in this litter of Weimaraner puppies. The results obtained and the previously reported data suggest that a larger controlled study is needed to further elucidate the effect of different vaccination protocols on HOD and immunisation in Weimaraner puppies.

Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy in a blesbok (Damaliscus dorcas phillipsi).

A 4.5-yr-old female blesbok (Damaliscus dorcas phillipsi) was radiographed following the appearance of lameness and swelling of the right front fetlock. Radiographic interpretation at that time was osteoarthritis caused by periosteal proliferation of the right metacarpus with periarticular osteophytes surrounding the fetlock. No treatment was initiated. Gradual abdominal enlargement over several months was interpreted as evidence of pregnancy. Six months after the initial lameness complaint, the blesbok suddenly collapsed and was unable to stand. Physical examination revealed a large firm mass occupying most of the abdomen that was found to be inoperable. Following exploratory laporotomy, the blesbok was euthanized. At necropsy, the mass weighed 17 kg. It had probably caused the animal's collapse. Histologically, the bony lesions of the right metacarpus, seen radiographically at the previous examination, were consistent with hypertrophic osteoarthropathy and may have been a sequela of the intra-abdominal mass.

Arterial hypertension and hypertrophic pulmonary osteopathy associated with aortic valvular endocarditis in a dog.

A 5-year-old spayed female Doberman Pinscher was referred for clinical evaluation following two acute episodes of lameness, lethargy, and respiratory dyspnea. The femoral pulse had a bounding "water-hammer" quality. Arterial blood pressures were 280 mm of Hg to greater than 300 mm of Hg during systole and approximately 40 mm of Hg during diastole. Systolic blood pressure was lowered to 210 mm of Hg, using prazosin. Radiography revealed extensive pulmonary interstitial markings and smooth subperiosteal expansions of the long bones indicative of hypertrophic pulmonary osteopathy. Despite symptomatic treatment, the dog's health gradually deteriorated, and it died 9 days after referral. Necropsy revealed vegetative endocarditis of the aortic valve. Insufficiency of the aortic valve was believed to be responsible for the systolic hypertension and the hypertrophic pulmonary osteopathy.