Proximal Quadricep Injuries in Dogs

Identification

• Quadriceps is a term used for a group of muscles located on the front of thigh. These muscles all come down from the top of the femur leg bone and attach to the top of the tibia leg bone.

  Proximal quadriceps canine muscle injury in dogs refers to injuries that occur to these muscle groups and primarily affect the points where the muscles attach to bone and tissues.

Types

• Proximal injuries to the quadriceps muscles in dogs may occur as a result of a traumatic injury (such as a car accident or projectile object that penetrates or hits the thigh), extending the muscles too far during play or while exercising, or as a side effect of fractures in the femur bone.

Effects

• Quadriceps injuries are often extremely painful and usually affect the dog's ability to use its injured leg. You may notice that your dog is limping or unable to bear any weight on its leg; the dog may also be sensitive to the touch or may yelp or try to bite if the leg is handled or palpated.

  Extreme pain caused by quadriceps injuries may also cause symptoms including heavy panting, mild fever, irritability, aggression, lethargy and loss of appetite.

  Pet owners may find that the dog's thigh is swollen, bruised or has abrasions around the thigh where an injury occurred. Sometimes pet owners witness the injury while their dog is playing or exercising and hear the dog yelp and then see the dog limping.

Diagnosis and Treatments

• Quadriceps injuries in dogs are diagnosed through a physical examination, pet history, x-ray and, sometimes, through the use of an ultrasound.

  Treatments for canine muscle injury include resting the muscle and prescribing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as meloxicam or carprofen. In severe cases, surgery may be needed to restore the function of the quadriceps; these surgeries usually involve suturing or pinning the quadriceps back to their normal position.

  Treatments for proximal quadriceps injuries are extremely successful, but it may take four to six weeks before the dog's leg function is restored.

Considerations

• Proximal quadriceps injuries in which the quadriceps rupture are known to occur in humans who are active in sports which stress this muscles; however, quadriceps ruptures are extremely rare in dogs and have been documented only infrequently.