Tears of the palmar superficial fascia in five racing greyhounds and a Labrador retriever

Tears of the palmar superficial fascia over the palmar extremity of the accessory carpal bone were identified as the cause of lameness in five racing greyhounds and as a coincidental finding in a Labrador retriever with an avulsion of the insertion of the flexor carpi ulnaris tendon. The lameness in the greyhounds was mild and transient, although racing performance was affected. The Labrador retriever was severely lame. In all cases there was a marked soft tissue swelling and a palpable defect in the superficial fascia. One case was managed conservatively and surgical repair was performed in the remaining five cases. The greyhounds returned to successful racing and the Labrador retriever made a complete recovery.