Suspected SFDT Injury 9yr old Golden Retriever

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Hi everyone.

We would like some help with a case that we have seen recently. She is a 9yr old FS Golden Retriever that is still very active. O came in for assessment due to recurring R fore limb lameness and reports that she is very painful and will be NWB and occurs after periods of intense activity. O reports that it does impove with rest and NSAIDs (had been Rx'd Deramaxx from refDVM). O reprots that the dog initially came up lame on the 2nd week in May. Initially presented as a mild limp while coming back from their walk, but progressed to NWB following rest to the point where she was falling down when she tried to WB on the R fore. At the time, her DVM Rx'd Deramaxx and complete rest. The dog did seem to improve, and the O reports that there was no changes in her foot at that time. She had a 2nd episode in June after being very active. The presentation was the same as in incident

in May and she took her back to her DVM and had X-Rays done (hav included those in the email) and she was put on Deramaxx again. The only difference was that the O noticed that her foot was more splayed on the R fore the 2nd time. As per O, she does not feel that the digits are a source of discomfort, but when she engages in high levels of activity then she becomes lame. O feels that it is how she is interacting with the ground that is causing her more strain on the upper limb. Currently she does jump off of the bed and goes in and out of the car without any discomfort. O does not have her on Deramaxx at the moment, only using that as needed when she feels that the dog is in discomfort. O has noticed that the lateral most digit on the L fore is starting to splay out as well. Current diet is Medical/Royal Canin K9 Weight maintenance - BCS is ideal. There are 2 other Golden

Retrievers at home and the floors are linoleum, rancher style house.

PE:

Dog is very straight in the hind end (very minimal angulation); considering high degree of activity, there is very minimal muscle development in general

stands with R fore "easty-westy" while L fore is straight

R fore foot is splayed and the digits are flat and she has hyperextended her carpus compared to L fore; L fore phalanx 5 is starting to splay out while rest of digits appear normal

Forelimbs:

sensitive to manipulation (flexing/extending) of the digits on the R fore - repeatable, she would stop panting and would frequently lick your fingers or try to withdraw foot; not as consistent when manipulating the L fore digits - she would occasionally try to withdraw her foot, but continued to pant throughout the assessment.

R fore foot is very flat from P1/P2 joint to P3.

R fore seemed to have slight muscle atrophy compared to L fore (eps. Supra- & Infraspinatous and Triceps); the acromion and spine of the scapula were more easily palpated on the R than the L. It also seemed as though she was straighter in the forelimbs as well. There was slight discomfort when extending the R shoulder, but it was not consistent, there was no concerns with PROM on the L shoulder and both elbows had normal PROM.

Hindlimbs:

were symmetrical when comparing L and R hind but felt that she was lacking muscle girth esp in Hamstrings group and Vastus mm. considering her degree of activity. There was no concerns with PROM

equally there was naf along her back and neck.

When palced on the stance analyzer she was off-loading her R fore consistently

Questions:

1) would this dog benefit from an orthotic device to help regain her level of activity while minimizing her discomfort

2) would surgery be an option for her?

3) could this be an immune-mediated issue?? concern of her L fore now showing signs of splaying...or is that due due her WB more on L fore

4) any other suggestions...

we advised O that we do feel that she is in some degree of discomfort and that it is likely coming from the digits as that was the most consistent source of discomfort. We were thinking of treating this dog with Laser therapy and Rehab exercises... any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. O willing to do anything to help her in the long term.

Thanks for your help,

8 of 8 Photo(s)

McInnis Lateral R fore.1.JPG

McInnis L fore.JPG

McInnis Lat Carpus.elbow.jpg

McInnis Lat shoulder.jpg

2 of 2 File(s)

McInnis Lateral R fore.JPG

McInnis VD shoulder.jpg