Background: Incongruity is a primary cause of elbow dysplasia. The aims of this study included assessing the prevalence of incongruity, determining reference ranges for joint space widths of the elbow joints in asymptomatic animals, and analyzing the correlations between incongruity and other primary causes of elbow dysplasia. Methods: The study was conducted in 108 dogs of different sexes and aged from 3 to 15 months. The animals were divided into two groups: group I (50 dogs) comprising healthy animals and group II (58 dogs) comprising sick animals. Results: All the dogs in group I were considered healthy. In these dogs, the mean radioulnar “step” height based on the X-ray examination was 0.85 ± 0.33 mm, the mean joint space width of the humeroulnar joint assessed in the computed tomography (CT) examination was 1.34 ± 0.34 mm, and the mean joint space width of the humeroradial joint was 1.43 ± 0.31 mm. In group II, incongruity was detected in 30 and 41 dogs based on the X-ray and CT scan images, respectively. The mean radioulnar “step” height in the dogs with incongruity based on the X-ray examination was 2.05 ± 0.53 mm, while that in the CT examination was 2.33 ± 0.74 mm. The mean joint space width of the humeroulnar joint based on the computed tomography (CT) examination was 3.189 ± 1.03 mm, and the mean joint space width of the humeroradial joint was 2.916 ± 0.702 mm. The most common diagnosis was a combination of incongruity with medial coronoid process disease. Conclusions: Based on the conducted studies, the following reference values were determined: for the height of the radioulnar “step” measured on radiographs, 0.3–1.5 mm; for the height of the radioulnar “step” measured in the CT examination, 0–1.5 mm; for the width of the joint space of the humeroulnar joint measured on MPR images in the sagittal section, 0.8–2.2 mm; and, for the width of the joint space of the humeroradial joint measured on MPR images in the sagittal section, 0.7–2.5 mm. An elbow incongruity was the most frequently diagnosed primary cause of elbow dysplasia, most often occurring in combination with other causes, particularly medial coronoid process disease.

Background: Ununited anconeal process (UAP) is one of the four primary causes of elbow dysplasia (ED). Radiography (X-ray) and computed tomography (CT) are commonly employed imaging techniques for the diagnosis of elbow dysplasia. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the frequency and distribution of UAP in dogs referred for elbow imaging and to analyze the coexistence of this disorder with other primary causes of ED, such as medial coronoid process disease (MCPD), osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), and joint incongruity (IC). Methods: The study population comprised 108 dogs of both sexes, aged between 3 and 15 months, of breeds predisposed to ED: 69 German Shepherds, 23 Labrador Retrievers, and 16 Golden Retrievers. All dogs underwent both radiographic and CT examinations of the elbow joints. Categorical data were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test to evaluate breed-related findings and lesion coexistence, with significance set at 5%. Inter-method reliability was assessed using Cohen’s kappa coefficient (ĸ). Results: Based on radiographic and CT findings, elbow dysplasia was diagnosed in 53 dogs and 58 dogs, respectively. UAP was identified in 9 cases and only in German Shepherds. Among the 9 UAP-positive dogs, coexistence with other ED lesions (most commonly medial coronoid process disease and joint incongruity) was observed in 8 cases. For specific UAP detection, both imaging modalities demonstrated perfect diagnostic agreement (ĸ = 1.0). Conclusions: UAP was the rarest diagnosed primary etiology of elbow dysplasia in the study population. This disorder has been found only in German Shepherds; however, this observation should be interpreted with reservation due to the unequal breed distribution within the study population. Radiography and computed tomography demonstrated equivalent diagnostic agreement for UAP identification; this result should also be interpreted cautiously due to the limitation of the small number of identified cases of this disorder. Furthermore, UAP occurred more frequently as a concomitant lesion—most commonly in association with medial coronoid process disease and joint incongruity—rather than as a solitary finding.

Ectopic ureters are uncommon congenital abnormalities in dogs, leading to urinary incontinence. Ectopic ureters can be intramural or extramural. Intramural is usually the more prevalent form. Female dogs are affected more often than male dogs. This disease requires the surgical correction of the ureters. Three surgical techniques have been described in this regard: neoureterostomy, nephroureterectomy, and ureteroneocystostomy. In this study, we present minimally invasive surgical procedures for treating extra- and intramural ectopic ureters. Sixteen client-owned dogs with clinical signs of urinary incontinence due to ectopic ureters underwent surgery. Laparoscopic ureteroneocystostomies were performed to correct three extramural cases and one atypical intramural case of ectopic ureters. Additionally, cystoscopically guided laser ablation was used to correct 12 cases of intramural ectopic ureters. In all cases, the procedures were achieved without the need for conversion to open surgery. Among the minor complications, slight hematuria and a few cases of cystitis, which responded to conservative treatment, were noted. Major postoperative complications were not observed. Only one out of sixteen dogs failed to regain urinary continence, but it responded to pharmacological treatment. In conclusion, cases of ectopic ureters may benefit from minimally invasive surgical techniques when their use is feasible.