Learning Issues. Case 2. Group 13 

Do Pomeranians (small breed dogs) have any musculo/skeletal predispositions?

Small breed dog specific problems:

       Legg Perthes Disease, avascular necrosis of femoral head, clinical presentation of 
patient does not support this disease process.

Which disorders/ injuries could subside and recurr? 

Fell off bed a year ago:

       Traumatic incident potentially compromised patellar ligaments and tendons of both 
the right and left rear legs. 

Weight bearing lameness on right leg:

       Trauma to right leg at time of fall induced the lameness. Perhaps the patellar 
ligament, lateral collateral ligament and the cranial cruciate ligament were over-extended 
in fall and the joint capsule was stressed, resulting in a mild inflammatory response with 
minor joint swelling and pain. Subluxation of the joint occurred as the ligaments 
stretched and this reduced the functional articular surface area. A smaller area of the joint 
experienced the entire weight of the dog as it landed on the floor therefore there was 
some cartilage damage. Chondrocytes were damaged and responded by releasing 
inflammatory mediators that led to mild joint effusion and joint pain (as evidenced by 
mild lameness).  
Resolving of right limb lameness after one month due to reabsorption of joint fluid and 
termination of the mild inflammatory response by chondrocytes. 

Mild right rear lameness reoccurred 6 months after fall:

       Perhaps the dog retraumatized right stifle through aggressive play or through another 
fall. Patellar ligament, lateral collateral ligament and the cranial cruciate ligament were 
once again over extended and the joint capsule was stressed. However this time the joint 
subluxation was more severe due to previous laxity in the patellar, lateral collateral and 
the cranial cruciate ligaments. Due to the severe subluxation that occurred there was 
significant cartilage damage and chondocytes responded with a strong inflammatory 
response.  

What type of disorders would NSAISDs not be effective?

Treated with anti-inflammatories after lameness reoccurred and saw no improvement:

       Fact that previous vet put dog on anti-inflammatories could indicate that they sensed 
significant stifle joint inflammation. Resolving of right limb lameness after one month 
due to reabsorption of joint fluid and termination of the mild inflammatory response by 
chondrocytes. Probably due to chronic osteoarthritis because the inflammatory response 
will be very minimal.
        

        
What is medial buttressing?

Thickening of joint capsules due to chronic instability. This is indicative for a cranial 
cruciate rupture in small dogs. 

Could allergies be a factor?

Persistent hypersensitivity response to antigens in lungs causes a massive IgE response 
and the release of inflammatory mediators by mast cells, basophils, eosinophils and 
neutrophils. Mast cells and basophils are bound to IgE. IgE, mast cells, basophils, 
eosinophils and neutrophils are present in systemic circulation and could