Explanation of Facts

1) 3 year old Pomeranian:  Since the dog is 3 years old, itŐs likely that this problem is 
not due to a hereditary defect.  Pomeranians and other small breed dogs are 
predisposed to certain musculoskeletal problems.
2) OwnerŐs complaint: dog lame in right hind leg:  description may help us localize the 
dogŐs main problem area.
3) Weighs 11.6 lbs.:  dog is in good weight for itŐs age and breed.
4) Fell off the bed a year ago:  gives us a time frame for when this problem first started 
and an idea of what the cause might have been.
5) Weight bearing lameness on right hind leg a year ago:  also gives us a time frame for 
the problem and what the initial problem was. 
6) Clinically normal within a month:  may mean that the initial problem was not very 
severe because the dog was able to ŇrecoverÓ without any medical treatment.
7) Mild lameness reoccurred 6 months later:  indicates that the initial problem probably 
didnŐt fully resolve and that this condition is chronic.
8) Treatment with anti-inflammatory injection with no effect:  No response to anti-
inflammatory drugs could mean that there is a mechanical abnormality with this dogŐs 
musculoskeletal system that is not limited to inflammation.
9) Lameness has not progressed over the past 6 months: This is a chronic problem, but 
not progressive.
10) Has received no other drugs: gives us an idea of the prior treatment course used for 
this dog
11) Vaccinated regularly and is on heartworm medication: gives us general health 
information for this dog
12) Dewormed 2 months ago: gives us general health information for this dog
13) Had seasonal allergies about a week ago; treated with Benadryl: gives us general 
health information for this dog
14) Indoor dog:  indicates that this dog is not roamed the neighborhood and is probably 
closely watched by the owner
15) Plays with ownerŐs other dog:  could have sustained trauma during play or could have 
worsened this dogŐs condition
16) Supervised play outside in the yard: indicates that this dog is closely watched by the 
owners
17) Eats one small canned dinner per day: gives us general information on this dogŐs 
nutrition
18) Grade 3/4 intermittent, non-weight bearing lameness of the right hind leg:  indicates 
the severity of the condition in the dogŐs right hind leg
19) Medial buttressing possible on stifle:  probably indicated that the body is trying to 
repair damage to the stifle; possibly trying to hold the patella in place
20) Cranial drawer negative: indicates that there is no rupture of the cranial cruciate 
ligament
21) Patella easily luxated to medial side of the trochlear groove when the leg is in 
extension: indicates a major area of concern in this dogŐs condition; this ties in with 
the buttressing found on the medial side of the right hind leg
22) No abnormalities in the hip, long bones, muscles, or other jonts in the right leg: 
narrows down the problem area 
23) Palpation of left hind leg revealed a pain response for cranial drawer and patella 
luxation: expands our problem area; possible problem with cranial cruciate ligament; 
these injuries may be due to the dogŐs compensation for itŐs right leg pain
24) No abnormalities in the hip, long bones, muscles, or other joints in the left leg: 
narrows down the problem area
25) Pain response on dorsal flexion of tail: may indicate another problem area
26) No pain response on direct pressure to the spine and lumbosacral joint: narrows down 
the problem area
27) Moderate tartar: gives us general health info for this dog