Impaired endochondral ossification in a skeletally immature dog: implications for femoral cleft formation and suspected incomplete femoral ossification

Historically, knowledge regarding congenital skeletal malformations in canines is poor. The Nomina Embryologica Veterinaria does not currently list any dysmorphia related to distal femoral fusion, and there is a significant absence of comprehensive descriptions of congenital defects in the veterinary literature. This paper reports on the radiographic and computed tomography (CT) characteristics of a skeletal abnormality in a seven-month-old crossbreed dog that presented for chronic right pelvic limb lameness as a result of secondary developmental patella luxation. Successful resolution of the lameness was achieved through concurrent surgical correction of the patella luxation and distal femoral cleft.