1. Musculoskeletal Diseases and disorders
Veterinary Assistant
Level2

2. Terminology Osteonecrosis Osteosclerosis Osteomalacia
Death of bone tissue
Osteosclerosis
Abnormal hardening of the bone
Osteomalacia
Abnormal softening of the bone

3. Common diseases Osteoarthritis
Degenerative joint disease commonly associated with aging or wear and tear on the joints. Also called degenerative joint disease (DJD).
Degeneration of the cartilage.
Can be congenital (being present at birth) or acquired.
Obesity is a major contributing factor.

4. Common diseases Osteosacroma
Abnormal replication of the cells that form bones.
Multiplication is uncontrolled.
Most common in the long bones, such as the Femur, Tibia, Radius, and Humerus.
Common in Rottweilers.
Highly malignant, high mortality rate.
Can spread, or metastasize, to other areas of the body. This is usually the lungs.
Chemotherapy vs. amputation.

5. Conditions of the hind limb

6. Anterior cruciate ligament rupture
Most common orthopedic injury in dogs. Rarely seen in cats.
Signs: acute lameness or intermittent lameness.
Common breeds to be affected: Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherd Dogs, ect.
Common occurrence in overweight dogs, those who engage is strenuous activity, and those with conformational abnormalities.
Treatment is surgery with rehabilitation.

7. Patella luxation
Dislocation of the patella from the trochlear groove medially or laterally.
More common in dogs than cats.
Most common in toy breeds.
Treatment: rehabilitation to generate more muscle mass or, if extreme case, surgical correction.
Sign: dog will hold hind leg up for a few seconds to allow the patella to move back to the normal position.

8. Hip dysplasia
Abnormal development of the pelvic joint causing the head of the femur and the acetabulum not to be aligned properly (congenital).
Commonly seen in large breed dogs (Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds.
Symptoms: intermittent lameness, trouble getting up and down, trouble with stairs.
Diagnosed with radiographs
Many surgical options (FHO or hip replacement)
Manage weight, diet, and environment.

9. Hip dysplasia

10. Conditions of the forelimb

11. Elbow dysplasia Most common cause of pain and lameness in the elbow.
Common in large and giant breeds.
Diagnosed early in life, typically around one year of age.
Signs: lameness, pain, fluid build up in the joint, and decreased range of motion.
Can be hereditary, developmental, or due to diet.

12. Elbow hygroma
Repeated trauma from lying on hard surfaces causes dense walled, fluid filled cavity.
Not typically painful, mostly a cosmetic concern.
Constant abrasion to the area can cause ulceration of the surface, leading to an infection. This may lead to a medical intervention.

13. Neurologic disorder

14. Intervertebral disc disease
Rupture or protrusion of the cushioning disc found between the vertebrae that results in pressure on the spinal cord, also known as herniated disc or ruptured disc.
Painful.
Paralysis.
Predisposed dogs include the Beagle, Bassett Hound, Shih Tzu, Dachshund, and Corgi
Symptoms: unwillingness to jump, pain, hunched back, and lameness in rear legs.

15. Intervertebral disc disease