Canine Achondroplasia
Achondroplasia is variously referred by orthopedic specialists as asachondroplastic dwarfism, chondrodystrophia fetalis, chondrodystrophy syndrome, congenital osteosclerosis, dwarf, and osteosclerosis congenita. These various definitions mean the same abnormal development of bone from cartilage.1 Offspring can look normal at birth and weaning, but at the age of 2.5 to 4 months the longitudinal growth of the spine and leg bones can retard in the dwarfs compared with the normal littermates. Most dwarfs perform well, even in the field.5 Canine achondroplasia can be a mild condition, with slightly bowing or simply short legs, causing no discomfort to the animal. Severe achondroplasia requires extensive orthopedic surgery to both alleviate pain and allow the dog to function normally. This surgery, most frequently an ulna, or radius surgery, is generally performed at one year of age when bone growth is nearly complete. Surgical success is variable.
Acrochordonous Plaque, Fibroepithelial Polyps
Acrochordons, also called skin tags, soft fibromas, fibroepithelial polyps, fibroma pendulans, pedunculated fibromas, and soft warts, are tumor-like lesions of the skin that occur both in humans and animals. Sometimes they become numerous, closely located growths forming a plaque, predominantly located at the neck. An acrochordon is usually skin colored or of darker color, and it may appear as surface nodules or papillomas on healthy skin. Most acrochordons vary in size from 2-5 mm in diameter, although larger acrochordons up to 5 cm in diameter are sometimes seen. The most frequent localizations are the neck and the armpits, but any skin fold, including the groin, may be affected.3 Although the exact cause of these lesions remains unclear, hormone imbalances have been suggested to facilitate their development. In addition, there is a predisposition in bulldog-like breeds.1 On rare occasions, fibroepithelial polyps can undergo malignant transformation into basal or squamous cell carcinoma. If fibroepithelial polyps occur in the urinary tract, animals may develop urinary incontinence, urinary tract infection, and/or increased thirst and abnormally frequent urination.2
