Case Study

CT and RAD – Mild bilateral hip dysplasia with disuse muscle atrophy in a 2 year old MN Dachshund mix dog

This 1.5 year old MN Dachshund mix dog presented with an abnormal gait – “skips” with left hind leg.

DX

The underlying cause of the presenting clinical signs is not identified. The findings are compatible with mild bilateral hip dysplasia.

Image Interpretation

CT of the spine, plain and post contrast with Rads of the lumbar spine and pelvis – The intervertebral discs L6/7 and L7/S1 present a minor protrusion into the ventral
epidural space. Compression of the Cauda equina nerve roots is not noted.
There is no evidence of a compressive myelopathy or neuropathy throughout the
thoracolumbar and lumbosacral spine.
Both femoral heads reveal mild dorsolateral subluxation with mild divergence of the
joint space and mild lateralized subchondral bone sclerosis of the acetabular groove.
The thigh musculature is appropriate and symmetric in volume bilaterally.
The stifle joints present no radiographic abnormalities. The patella is in situ in both
stifle during the radiographic examination.
The included abdominal and thoracic structures are within normal limits.

Outcome

The degree of dysplasia
is unlikely to cause significant clinical signs in a small dog. The lack of disuse atrophy
of the hind leg musculature further supports this impression.
The minor disc protrusions in the lumbosacral area are not associated with
compression of the spinal cord or Cauda equina.