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History:
A 4 month old male Great Dane presented with gradually
deteriorating, unilateral, weight-bearing forelimb lameness. There was
no preceding history of trauma. Pain was elicited on manipulation of the
left shoulder joint and on full extension of the right shoulder joint.
The dog was otherwise bright and alert.
Radiography of the left shoulder joint revealed a large
area of radiolucency in the subchondral bone of the proximal epiphysis
of the humerus.
After discussion of the radiographic findings, the
treatment options and the prognosis, the owners decided on euthanasia.
In the left shoulder joint at necropsy, a large, partially
anchored flap of elevated cartilage was present over the caudal central
aspect of the humeral head (arrohead).
On dissecting the flap away, a large full thickness
cartilage defect was present, exposing subchondral bone of the proximal
epiphysis (arrowhead).
In the same area of the right proximal humerus, there
was a smaller and less advanced zone of cartilage degeneration.
This is a low power view of the proximal physis (growth plate) of the
humerus. This growth plate normally closes at approximately 10-13 weeks
in dogs but was still open in this animal (appropriately so for a giant
breed).
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