Shoulder joint luxation in large animals: 14 cases (1976-1997).
OBJECTIVE
To determine clinical and radiographic findings in and treatment and outcome of large animals with shoulder joint luxations.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
5 horses, 3 goats, 1 calf, 1 sheep, 1 Himalayan tahr, 1 pot-bellied pig, 1 reindeer, and 1 white-tailed deer.


METHODS
Medical records and radiographs were reviewed to determine signalment, history, physical examination findings, type of luxation, treatment, and outcome. Owners and referring veterinarians were contracted for follow-up information.


RESULTS
Goats, sexually intact males, and animals < 1 year old were overrepresented, compared with the general hospital population during the study period. Closed reduction was attempted in 3 animals and was successful in 1. Open reduction and internal stabilization was attempted in 4 animals, including 1 in which closed reduction was unsuccessful. Long-term stabilization of the joint was achieved in 3 animals, but overall results were poor because of osteoarthritis and chronic lameness. Three animals were not treated, and 5 were euthanatized because of a poor prognosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Large animals with shoulder joint luxation and concurrent fractures had a poorer prognosis than did those with shoulder joint luxation alone.
Semevolos
S A
SA
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Nixon
A J
AJ
Goodrich
L R
LR
Ducharme
N G
NG
D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic / Q000293:injuries*; D002417:Cattle / Q000293:injuries; D003670:Deer / Q000293:injuries; D005260:Female; D006041:Goats / Q000293:injuries; D006736:Horses / Q000293:injuries; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012053:Reindeer / Q000293:injuries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012756:Sheep / Q000293:injuries; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013552:Swine / Q000293:injuries; D016896:Treatment Outcome