Congenital deformity of the distal extremities in three dogs

Abstract

Congenital limb deformities are very rare conditions and the knowledge about etiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation and treatment is still poor. Moreover, many defects are still not reported in veterinary literature. This report documents clinical and radiographic findings in three dogs with congenital deformity involving the distal extremities. Case 1 was affected with bilateral aphalangia of the pedes, case 2 presented a combination of brachydactyly and syndactyly, whereas in case 3 a unilateral ectrodactyly was observed. To the authors’ knowledge, brachydactyly, as well as aphalangia, are very uncommon anomalies and have been rarely documented. Moreover, association between syndactyly and brachydactyly has still not been reported.

Uni­lateral Forelimb Micromelia and Concurrent Aphalangia in a Kid: A Case Report

“…Malformations of the extremities or parts of them vary in their manifestations, ranging from absence of a single structure to partial or complete absence of the limbs [4], but their description is often complicated by the lack of a uniform and precise nomenclature. The term dysostosis is used to define malformations of individual bones or groups of bones, caused by a failure of bone model formation or failure of the transformation of the bone model into cartilage or bone [1,3]. For limbs, micromelia is described as the abnormal smallness of one or morelimbs and aphalangiaas the absence of one or more phalanges from one to four digits [5].…”

“…Different forms of limb deformations have been identified by veterinarians, zoologists, physicians, and naturalists in individuals and populations in a range of species. For instance, in cats [5], sheep [6], horses [7], buffalos [8] and dogs [4,3]. Few congenital limb deformities in goats have previously been documented.…”

“…Genes responsible for dysostoses have still not been identified. Differently, several environmental factors have also been implicated in development of dysostoses in other species, such dog and cat, and may include: drugs, maternal diseases, faulty maternal diet, modifiedlive vaccines, radiations, and trauma to the mother, embryo, or placenta [3]. The etiology of congenital appendicular malformations may be genetic, environmental or their interactions [6].…”

“…These include a variety of malformations and metabolic diseases that could occur in all breeds but tend to exhibit predisposition in some breeds. For domestic animals, although the Bell's classification [2], a complete description of congenital skeletal malformations is still lacking and a clear classification of the possible anomalies detectable does not exist, although their wide reported cases, comparing to human literature [3].…”

Fetal teratogenicity in a rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta): Association with the chronic maternal treatment of amitriptyline

“…Most notably, the examination of the feet revealed congenital deformities of both pedes characterized by syndactyly, an abnormal interconnection or fusion of adjacent digits, of digits II and III and digits IV and VI of the right foot (Figure 1C‐D) and ectrodactyly, absence of all or part of one or more digits, of the left foot (Figure 1D‐E). 8,9 Grasping reflexes of the right foot and both hands were adequate, palpation of both feet did not elicit pain or discomfort, and the remainder of the physical examination was unremarkable. Radiographic examination of the left foot revealed normal talus and calcaneus bones, two small round bones distal to talus and calcaneus suspected to be primary ossification of cuneiform or cuboid bones, and absence of all metatarsal and phalangeal bones (Figure 1F).…”