Hypertrophic osteodystrophy in a dog imaged with CT

A seven-month-old male neutered cross-breed dog presented with non-specific signs of lethargy, pyrexia and pain on manipulation of the limbs, which progressed over a period of 24 hours to a non-ambulatory state with pain over multiple metaphyses. The patient underwent diagnostic imaging examinations, including radiography and CT, and arthrocentesis was performed, which demonstrated a sterile, neutrophilic infiltrate. On the basis of diagnostic tests, a diagnosis of hypertrophic osteodystrophy was made. The patient was managed initially with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication and adjunctive analgesia. The patient failed to respond to this protocol and hence was changed onto a tapering course of steroids initially at immunosuppressive levels to which he responded well. This case report provides the first description of hypertrophic osteodystrophy using CT and supports the use of arthrocentesis in the diagnostic plan for suspected cases of hypertrophic osteodystrophy in the dog.