Written by veterinarians across multiple disciplines with expertise in the canine musculoskeletal system, this book offers an easy-to-use guide for diagnosing lameness in dogs. Canine Lameness focuses on evaluation and diagnostic techniques, with descriptions of the most common reasons for lameness. Arranged by anatomical region, this approach complements the clinical assessment of a patient. 

Designed for ease of use, the book puts all the information needed to evaluate and diagnose a dog’s orthopedic status at the reader’s fingertips. Particular emphasis is placed on orthopedic examination, radiographic anatomy, and abnormal radiographic findings.  

Features of Canine Lameness:  

• Offers a comprehensive guide to diagnosing musculoskeletal diseases causing lameness in dogs
• Brings clinical examination, diagnostic imaging, and relevant musculoskeletal anatomy together into a single resource
• Takes a logical, regions-based approach, outlining diagnostic steps and differential diagnoses for each specific area
• Focuses on commonly encountered conditions while highlighting critical diagnostic steps to ensure other, less common, differential diagnoses are not missed
• Includes access to a companion website with video clips demonstrating detailed steps of the examination, techniques, and lameness conditions 

Canine Lameness is an excellent resource for veterinarians and staff involved in the diagnosis of lameness in dogs, and will be of great benefit to all animal health professionals working in the area of canine orthopedics.

Table of contents

List of Contributors xix

Preface xxi

Acknowledgments xxiii

Editor Biography xxiv

About the Companion Website xxv

Section 1 Lameness Diagnosis 1

Part I Lameness Evaluation 3

1 Subjective Gait Evaluation 5
Felix Michael Duerr

1.1 Introduction 5

1.2 Observation at Rest 5

1.3 Observation in Motion 6

References 13

2 Objective Gait Analysis 15
Bryan T. Torres

2.1 Introduction 15

2.2 Kinetic Analysis 15

2.3 Kinematic Analysis 21

2.4 Making the Best of Your Gait Data Collection 27

2.5 Evaluating Gait Data 28

References 29

3 The Orthopedic Examination 31
Dirsko J.F. von Pfeil and Felix Michael Duerr

3.1 Introduction 31

3.2 The Orthopedic Examination 31

References 39

4 The Neurologic Examination 41
Lisa Bartner

4.1 Introduction 41

4.2 Neuroanatomy Related to Limb Function 42

4.3 The Neurologic Examination 48

4.4 Diagnostic Tests 63

References 65

5 The Rehabilitation Examination 67
Sasha Foster

5.1 Introduction 67

5.2 Passive Range of Motion 68

5.3 Joint Play 77

5.4 Flexibility Testing 79

5.5 Strength Testing 81

References 83

6 The Myofascial Examination 85
Rick Wall

6.1 Introduction 85

6.2 Characteristics of Myofascial Trigger Points 85

6.3 Etiology and Pathophysiology of Myofascial Trigger Points 86

6.4 The Myofascial Examination 87

6.5 Myofascial Pain Syndrome Patterns Associated with Lameness 88

6.6 Clinical Significance 89

References 90

Part II Diagnostic Techniques 93

7 Arthrocentesis Technique 95
Bryan T. Torres and Felix Michael Duerr

7.1 Introduction 95

7.2 Risks and Contraindications 96

7.3 Restraint 96

7.4 Site Preparation 96

7.5 Equipment 96

7.6 Approaches 98

References 104

8 Diagnostic Joint Anesthesia 105
Bryan T. Torres and Felix Michael Duerr

8.1 Introduction 105

8.2 Patient Selection 105

8.3 Sedation Protocols 106

8.4 Intra-articular Anesthetic Instillation 108

8.5 Lameness Evaluation and Interpreting the Effect of Diagnostic Joint Anesthesia 108

References 110

9 Joint Fluid Analysis and Collection Considerations 111
Adam Harris and Kelly Santangelo

9.1 Introduction 111

9.2 Sample Submission and Prioritization of Diagnostic Tests 111

9.3 Gross, Biochemical, and Cytologic Examination 113

9.4 Canine Arthropathies 120

References 122

10 Diagnostic Imaging Techniques in Lameness Evaluation 125
Angela J. Marolf

10.1 Introduction 125

10.2 Radiography 125

10.3 Ultrasonography 126

10.4 Computed Tomography 127

10.5 Magnetic Resonance Imaging 130

10.6 Nuclear Medicine 131

References 133

11 Diagnostic Approach to Neoplastic Conditions Causing Lameness 135
Bernard Séguin

11.1 Introduction 135

11.2 Diagnostic Methods 135

11.3 Specific Tumors 138

References 139

Section 2 Regional Diagnosis 141

Part III Distal Limb Lameness 143

12 Distal Limb Region 145
Nicolaas E. Lambrechts

12.1 Introduction 145

12.2 Normal Anatomy 145

12.3 Arthritis 152

12.4 Fractures of the Distal Limb Region 154

12.5 Conditions of Muscles, Tendon, and Ligaments 157

12.6 Conditions of the Digital and Paw Pads 159

12.7 Conditions of the Digit/Paw Skin 162

12.8 Conditions of the Claws 163

12.9 Other Conditions Affecting the Distal Limb Region 164

References 166

Part IV Thoracic Limb Lameness 169

13 Carpal Region 171
Denis J. Marcellin-Little and Dirsko J.F. von Pfeil

13.1 Introduction and Common Differential Diagnoses 171

13.2 Normal Anatomy and Osteoarthritis 171

13.3 Fractures of the Carpal Region 175

13.4 Carpal Hyperextension and Other Carpal Ligamentous Injuries 179

13.5 Deformities of the Carpal Region 185

13.6 Tendinous and Muscular Lesions of the Carpal Region 186

13.7 Other Diseases Affecting the Carpal Region 187

References 191

14 Elbow Region 195
Felix Michael Duerr

14.1 Introduction and Common Differential Diagnoses 195

14.2 Normal Anatomy and Arthritis 195

14.3 Fractures of the Elbow Region 200

14.4 Incomplete Ossification of the Humeral Condyle 201

14.5 Elbow Dysplasia/Incongruity 203

14.6 Medial Compartment Disease 205

14.7 Traumatic Fracture of the Medial Coronoid Process 208

14.8 Osteochondrosis Dissecans 209

14.9 Ununited Anconeal Process 209

14.10 Elbow Luxation 210

14.11 Panosteitis 212

14.12 Septic Arthritis 214

14.13 Flexor Enthesopathy 215

14.14 Other Diseases Affecting the Elbow Region 217

References 219

15 Shoulder Region 223
Kristina M. Kiefer and Dirsko J.F. von Pfeil

15.1 Introduction and Common Differential Diagnoses 223

15.2 Normal Anatomy and Osteoarthritis 223

15.3 Fractures of the Shoulder Region 229

15.4 Medial Shoulder Instability 231

15.5 Traumatic Shoulder Luxation 235

15.6 Biceps Brachii Tendinopathy 237

15.7 Supraspinatus Tendinopathy 242

15.8 Infraspinatus Disease 243

15.9 Osteochondrosis Dissecans 246

15.10 Other Diseases Affecting the Shoulder Region 248

References 250

16 Neurological Disease of the Thoracic Limb 255
Lisa Bartner

16.1 Introduction 255

16.2 Relevant Anatomy 255

16.3 Neurological Diseases Affecting the Thoracic Limb 257

References 268

17 Neoplastic Conditions of the Thoracic Limb 271
Bernard Séguin

17.1 Introduction 271

17.2 Neoplasia of Specific Regions 271

References 277

Part V Pelvic Limb Lameness 279

18 Tarsal Region 281
Kathleen Linn and Felix Michael Duerr

18.1 Introduction and Common Differential Diagnoses 281

18.2 Normal Anatomy 281

18.3 Fractures of the Tarsal Region 288

18.4 Tarsal Joint Luxations 291

18.5 Pathology of the Common Calcanean Tendon 294

18.6 Osteochondrosis Dissecans 298

18.7 Other Diseases Affecting the Tarsal Region 300

References 304

19 Stifle Region 307
Jennifer Warnock and Felix Michael Duerr

19.1 Introduction and Common Differential Diagnoses 307

19.2 Normal Anatomy 307

19.3 Fractures of the Stifle Region 314

19.4 Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease 316

19.5 Patellar Luxation 329

19.6 Stifle Luxation 334

19.7 Isolated Caudal Cruciate Ligament Rupture 336

19.8 Osteochondrosis Dissecans 337

19.9 Patellar Ligament Pathology 339

19.10 Other Diseases Affecting the Stifle Region 340

References 343

20 Hip Region 347
Nina R. Kieves

20.1 Introduction and Common Differential Diagnoses 347

20.2 Normal Anatomy 347

20.3 Fractures of the Hip Region 353

20.4 Coxofemoral Luxation 356

20.5 Hip Dysplasia 358

20.6 Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head 366

20.7 Muscle Contractures 367

20.8 Iliopsoas Tendinopathy 371

20.9 Other Diseases Affecting the Hip Region 373

References 376

21 Neurological Disease of the Pelvic Limb 379
Lisa Bartner

21.1 Introduction 379

21.2 Relevant Anatomy 379

21.3 Neurological Diseases Affecting the Pelvic Limb 381

References 389

22 Neoplastic Conditions of the Pelvic Limb 391
Bernard Séguin

22.1 Introduction 391

22.2 Neoplasia of Specific Regions 391

References 394

Glossary 397

List of Abbreviations 401

Index 403

About the Author

FELIX DUERR, Dr. med. vet., MS, DACVS-SA, DECVS, DACVSMR, is Associate Professor of Small Animal Orthopedics in the Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.