Case Study

RADS – Aerophagia and Coxofemoral Dysplasia with Osteoarthritis in a dog

Presenting clinical signs were vomiting and excessive panting. Possible exposure to Albuterol.

Image Interpretation

Rads of right, left and VD abdomen- Osseous structures:
There was bilateral severe coxofemoral joint osteoarthrosis as a function of hip dysplasia. There was a congenital asymmetrical thoracolumbar transitional vertebra and symmetrical lumbosacral and sacrocaudal transitional vertebrae.
Intraabdominal structures:
The serosal detail was normal. The liver and spleen were within normal limits regarding size, shape and opacity. Both kidneys were normal for size, shape and opacity. The urinary bladder was moderately to severely distended. The gastrointestinal tract was normal for position. The stomach was moderately distended with gas. There was a moderate amount of gas within the small intestine. There were no signs of complete mechanical intestinal obstruction. A gastrointestinal foreign body was not seen.

DX

There was moderate aerophagia which may be a function of excessive panting, pain, dyspnea or a metabolic or primary gastrointestinal disorder

Outcome

Radiographically there were no signs indicating a complete mechanical intestinal obstruction.
Both coxofemoral joints presented dysplastic and severe osteoarthritic changes. There were congenital vertebral malformations which are likely to be incidental at this point.