Flexural deformity of the carpus in puppies

A flexural deformity affecting one or both forelimbs identified in 21 puppies of six to 12 weeks of age closely resembled a condition which has long been known in foals and farm animals at birth or shortly afterwards. In the puppies the characteristic feature was carpal hyperflexion which was associated with tautness of the tendons of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle. The majority recovered spontaneously with conservative management but in two puppies it was necessary to section the shortened tendons to enable a normal limb posture to be regained. The fact that there was a preponderance of dobermann pinschers (17 out of 21) in the group opens speculation about an hereditary factor being involved, but further study is needed before such a correlation can be reached.