Recent literature has demonstrated that high-resolution ultrasonographic anatomy of the canine carpus is possible; however, only the structures of the dorsal face were described. The aims of this prospective study were: (1) to describe the normal ultrasonographic appearance of the carpal tendons in sporting Border Collies; (2) to measure the height, length, and thickness of the tendon at the radial ulnar notch level in order to create a baseline reference for the breed, and (3) to describe a standardised protocol to ultrasonographically evaluate the carpal faces and visible tendinous structures. A pilot study based on ten cadaveric front limbs was used to identify the structures. A subsequent clinical phase of the study using twenty-six Border Collies was recorded. The tendons of the Extensor Carpi Radialis, Extensor Digitorum Communis, andExtensor Digitorum Lateraliswere identified and followed from the tenomuscular junction to the distal insertion on the dorsal face of the digits. On the lateral face, the tendon of the Extensor Carpi Ulnaris was recognised and followed. On the palmar face, the two heads of the Flexor Carpi Ulnaris tendon ending on the accessory carpal bone, the adjacent Flexor Digitorum Superficialis tendon, and the deep and medially located Flexor Digitorum Profundus tendon were seen and followed. The Flexor Carpi Radialis and the Abductor Pollicis Longus tendons were seen in the medial carpal face. The ulnar notch of the radius was used as the measurement and starting point of the ultrasonography. These data could be used as a standard reference in the case of chronic overuse and trauma-induced changes in the canine carpus.

In the present case report a 7-year-old male Whippet competing in lure-coursing presented with third-degree recurrent lameness of the right forelimb, pain on palpation of the caudal aspect of the carpus and swelling of the forearm proximally to the accessory carpal bone. Clinical, radiographic, and ultrasonographic evaluation diagnosed a flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) chronic tendinopathy unresponsive to previously attempted conservative treatments such as oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) administration along with padded palmar splint application and rest. The dog was subjected to one injection of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) obtained using a double centrifugation tube method, followed by two platelet lysate (PL) injections. Treatment was administered at three-week intervals. The healing process was assessed through clinical and ultrasonographic imaging (US) on the day of the first injection (T0), and at week three (T1), six (T2), twelve (T3), fifty-two (T4), and one-hundred-and-four (T5). Fiber alignment score (FAS) and echogenicity score (ES) were developed by modifying a previously published US assessment scale. At T1, ES, and FAS improvement was detected, and at T2, further improvements in ES and FAS were observed. Ultrasonographic results were clinically consistent with the improvement in lameness: lameness grade 3/4 was detected at T0 and grade 2/4 at T1. A lameness grade of 1/4 was detected at T2, and grade 0/4 was observed at T3, T4, and T5. Moreover, at T5, the dog returned to competition, and no history of re-injury was reported. Our results suggest that the treatment of FCU tendinopathy in lure-coursing dogs with a combination of consecutive injections of autologous PRP and PL could be feasible. Additionally, no adverse reactions were observed.

Injuries to canine athletes are becoming more and more frequent, and perfect knowledge of all injury-prone anatomic structures is mandatory to achieve correct diagnoses and treatments. In this small case series discussion, trauma-based injury to the common digital extensor tendon of digits III and IV of the forelimb is described for the first time. The anatomy as well as the clinical and ultrasonographic findings show similarities to the human spectrum of pathologies called boxer’s knuckle. The treatment options with a buddy taping technique led to a satisfactory outcome at three months from trauma, without a history of re-injury. Injuries to the extensor compartment of the forepaw should be considered in cases of forelimb lameness with dorsal metacarpophalangeal swelling in sporting patients, especially with a history of blunt force traumas.

The aim of this study is to investigate the use of shoulder ultrasound as a method of predicting the likelihood of returning to competition in agility dogs with shoulder teno-muscular injuries after a standardised rehabilitation protocol. Thirty-two agility dogs with a clinical and ultrasonographic diagnosis of shoulder teno-muscular injury were included in a prospective study with physical and ultrasound examinations at the time of diagnosis (T0) and at two (T2), four (T4) and six (T6) months; during this period, the dogs received rehabilitation treatments. The endpoint of the study was to obtain information regarding participation in agility competitions 12 months after diagnosis, based on telephone interviews with the owners. The clinical lameness score (CLS) and the ultrasound lesion score (ULS) were used as outcome measurements. The CLS indicated partial recovery from a shoulder injury at T2 (78%), while the ULS indicated no satisfactory recovery at T2 in any patient. At 4 months, the CLS alone was not a valuable predictor of full recovery from a shoulder injury in agility dogs. Relative Risk indicated that, at T2, ultrasound was 23.8 times more valuable in identifying a shoulder lesion as compared to clinical lameness score (CLS), and it was 2.53 times more valuable at T4.