Four Unusual Cases of Congenital Forelimb Malformations in Dogs

Abstract

Four dogs were presented with thoracic limb deformity. After clinical and radiographic examinations, a diagnosis of congenital malformations was performed for each of them. In one case, a deformity involving both the radial and ulnar side of the distal limb was observed. Based on clinical and radiological evaluations, a diagnosis of postaxial terminal longitudinal ulnar hemimelia was performed. The term ectrodactyly was used to refer different malformations characterized by skin and soft tissue separation of the distal forelimb observed in two dogs. Simple complete uncomplicated syndactyly of the right forelimb, and complex incomplete uncomplicated syndactyly of the left forelimb were diagnosed in the fourth case. To the authors’ knowledge, ectrodactyly and simple complete uncomplicated syndactyly are very uncommon anomalies in companion animals and have been rarely documented. Moreover, postaxial terminal longitudinal ulnar hemimelia has still not been reported in dogs.

Unilateral Partial Aphalangia and Hemimelia in an Adult Dog and Cat: Clinical Presentation and Radiography Findings

“…In contrast, polydactyly, cardiomegaly, five thoracic vertebrae, six lumbar vertebrae and fifteen ribs, with hypoplasia of the first pair were associated with bilateral hemimelia in cats (Lockwood et al, 2009;Pisoni et al, 2012). Regarding etiology, it has been suggested that hemimeliamay be a hereditary trait in Siamese and Domestic short hair cats (Di Pietro et al, 2021). In contrast, the hemimelia recorded here was seen in a Persian cat.…”

“…In this regard, cats with mild cases of hemimelia, do not necessarily have a bad quality of life necessitating euthanasia. Survival into adulthood with a favorable quality of life is possible (Barrand and Cornillie, 2008;Di Pietro et al, 2021).…”

Ectrodactyly with Polydactyly in a Dog—Case Description and Description of Surgical Therapy with Resection and Fusion Podoplasty

“…Ectrodactyly is well described in humans and other species [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. In most cases of ectrodactyly, this type of dysostosis is combined with other anomalies such as ectodermal dysplasia, cleft palate and thumb-with-three phalanges [ 15 ].…”

“…In humans and the dactylaplasia mouse, the pathogenesis of ectrodactyly is based on the hypothesis of a missing central ray. The combination of ectrodactyly and polydactyly, known as an ectrodactyly-polydactyly syndrome in humans [ 14 , 17 ], is a rare genetic limb malformation characterised by hypoplasia or absence of the central digital rays of the hands and/or feet. The presence of one or more unilateral or bilateral supernumerary digits on the post-axial rays ranges from hypoplastic digits without bony structures to complete duplication of a digit.…”