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Today's Ve T erinary Prac T ice | s eptember/ o ctober 2016 | tvpjournal.com Ju V enile o r T ho P edic d isease in d ogs & c a T s Peer r eviewed 26 bones along the width of the limb, and longitudinal, or absence of bones along the long axis (medial or lateral) of the bone (Figures 1 and 2). Signalment Most reports of hemimelia appear to lack a hereditary linkage, but there are exceptions, including Chihuahuas, Siamese cats, and domestic shorthair cats. 2 Ectrodactyly is autosomal dominant in cats, and polydactyly is autosomal dominant in cats and most dogs. 2 The exception is seen in the Saint Bernard and collie, in which preaxial (medial) polydactylism is likely an autosomal recessive trait. 2 Diagnosis Many dysostoses can be diagnosed on physical examination, but the extent of abnormality may be better characterized by orthogonal radiography. In general, most dysostoses are radiographically apparent. In the case of axial dysostoses, advanced imaging (magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) is indicated in the presence of neurologic dysfunction to further characterize the degree and source of spinal cord compression. Treatment Treatment is generally aimed at conditions in which clinical effects degrade patient quality of life and can be divided into medical and surgical interventions. • Medical intervention may include physical rehabilitation to alleviate pain, build muscle, and regain function. • Splinting may be indicated when bone and limb deformities or associated soft tissue laxities or contractures are present, as can be seen with ectrodactyly or hemimelia. • Other medical therapies are generally aimed at alleviation of clinical signs and may include pain- modulating medications and nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). • The objectives of surgery can either be palliative or reconstructive: Palliative surgery includes total or partial amputation of severely deranged limbs or digits that interfere with ambulation or are a source Figure 1. An 11-week-old, male beagle presented for evaluation of left forelimb lameness. Diagnosis is ectrodactyly of the left manus with absence of the second and third carpal bones. Lateral ( A) and craniocaudal (B) views of the left distal antebrachium; note that only 3 digits are present on the left manus. The base of the presumed fifth metacarpal is located more laterally and caudally, and this bone is articulating with the presumed ulnar and fourth carpal bone. Courtesy University of California– Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital A B Figure 2. A 4-month-old, female domestic shorthair cat presented for evaluation of bilateral thoracic limb angular deformity. Diagnosis is bilateral radial agenesis or hemimelia. Lateral ( A , C ) and craniocaudal ( B , D ) views of the left and right forelimbs; findings are similar in both limbs, with the radius absent and the ulna abnormally shaped. On the left, the radial head appears to be incorporated into the ulna ( arrow, A). On the right, a hypoplastic radial head is present (arrow, C). There is carpal varus, and only 1 carpal bone is present in the proximal row. Courtesy University of California–Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital A D C B