title: Symmetric bilateral brachymetacarpalia of a dog.
abstract: Malformations of the canine manus are infrequently cited in the literature but include polydactylia and syndactylia. Here, a case of brachymetacarpalia affecting the second and fifth metacarpal bones of both forelimbs of a mixed-breed dog is described. The initial impression of shortened digits was disproved by statistical comparison with normal skeletons, but the presence of shortened metacarpal bones was demonstrated. Other malformations of the manus and appropriate terminology are briefly discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Physiological Sciences, and Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27606, USA.
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Hudson
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Money
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D008297:Male; D008663:Metacarpus / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography