| Title: |
Evaluation of thoracic limb alignment in healthy Labrador
Retrievers using recumbent versus standing view frontal plane
radiography |
| Background: |
Forelimb lameness due to medial coronoid disease (a component
of elbow dysplasia) is a common orthopedic condition of large breed
dogs such as Labrador Retrievers (Figure 1). Although the exact
cause of this condition is unknown, it may develop as a result of
abnormal loading across the elbow joint during walking or running.
In order to determine if abnormal loading of the elbow joint plays
a role in this disease, we must first determine normal limb
alignment values in healthy Labrador Retrievers (Figure 2). Thus,
the objective of this clinical trial is to obtain both standing and
recumbent (laying down) forelimb alignment values in healthy
Labrador Retrievers. |
| Contact Persons: |
W. Brian Saunders, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVS
Zachary Goodrich, VMD |
| Inclusion criteria and general background
information: |
Labrador Retrievers 15 months of age or older that are in good
general health and have no history of forelimb orthopedic disease
are eligible for initial participation. Eligible dogs will undergo
a physical and orthopedic examination. If deemed free of forelimb
disorders based on this examination, individual dogs will
participate in the radiographic portion of the study. |
| Exclusion criteria: |
Dogs less than 15 months of age or dogs with a current or
previous forelimb lameness of any cause or a limb deformity. Any
dog found to have a physical exam abnormality for which sedation
would be an unnecessary risk (i.e. heart murmur) will also be
excluded. Dogs who appear normal (sound) on physical exam that have
abnormalities of the elbow joint on radiographs (x-rays) will be
excluded from receiving the entire series of radiographs
(x-rays). |
| Owner Commitments: |
Each dog will participate once, there is no follow-up
necessary. The examination and radiography (x-ray) session
typically will require 1-2 hours of your time. |
| Financial incentives: |
All costs associated with this study are provided in exchange
for your participation. Eligible Labrador Retrievers will receive a
physical exam, orthopedic exam, and high quality radiographs
(X-rays) of both front limbs. Light sedation is required in order
to obtain several of the radiographs required for this clinical
trial. The cost of this sedation is covered by the study. Although
extremely rare, costs associated with treating complications of
light sedation will be the responsibility of the owner. |