Occurrence of ante-brachial deformities in growing dogs

The hospital occurrence of ante-brachial deformities (ABD) from January 2005 to January 2006 was recorded. Data were collected regarding the age, sex and breed of the dogs, feeding schedule since birth and litter size. History of previous litter with respect to skeletal abnormalities was also recorded in all available cases. The type of ante-brachial deformities was classified based on inherent functional disorders such as hypertrophic osteodystrophy, premature closure of physis, rickets and retained cartilage core, as revealed by clinical, radiographic and biochemical studies. Classification was also done based on angular deformities like carpus vulgus, carpus varus, relative shortening of ulna, and cranial bowing of radius and elbow subluxation. Clinically measured limb deviation was graded as: 1 (10–25°), 2 (25–40°) and 3 (more than 40°). Similarly, radiographically measured limb deviation was graded as 1 (10–20°), 2 (20–30°) and 3 (30–40°). The relationship between the type of deformity vs. age, breed and sex was analyzed. Among the 1227 canine cases reported during the period, 378 cases were of young growing dogs (30.81%), within which ante-brachial deformities were recorded in 23.28% young dogs. Young and growing dogs of non-descript indigenous breeds were affected most (27.25%) followed by Spitz (24.87%) and German shepherds (22.49%). Ante-brachial deformities were recorded maximum in German shepherds (25%) followed by non-descript (22.73%) and Great Danes (21.59%). Occurrence of ante-brachial deformities in the total German shepherd dog population was 7.7%, whereas within the population 25.8% total young German shepherds were affected with ante-brachial deformities. Similarly 6.5% of the total non-descript dogs and 19.42% of the young growing non-descript dogs were having deformed forelimbs. There was no significant correlation between the mean limb deviation scores and different breeds, economic status of the owner and vaccination status, but there was a positive and significant (P<0.05) correlation between ABD and vegetarian status of the owner, age group of 3–6 months, poor body condition, metabolic disorder like rickets and male sex. The mean limb deviation score was maximum in Dobermans (1.88±0.3) followed by non-descript dogs (1.75±0.18). Similarly, a higher angulation of limb was recorded in dogs reared by lower income class owners (1.87±0.29), vegetarian dogs (1.87±0.12), dogs of 6–9 months of age (1.91±1.19), dogs with poor general body condition (2.18±0.18) and rachitic dogs (1.93±0.72). There was no significant correlation between Hb, PCV, DLC and total protein with dogs having mild, moderate and severe limb angulation. Alkaline phosphatase and BUN were significantly higher in severe angulation group as compared to mild angulation group. Plasma calcium recorded in severe angulation group was significantly more-compared to mild and moderate groups. There was no significant relationship between different angulations and plasma creatinine.