Dorsal slab fracture of the fourth carpal bone in a racing greyhound.

OBJECTIVE:
To report the diagnosis and surgical management of a dorsal slab fracture of the fourth carpal bone in a racing greyhound.
STUDY DESIGN:
Clinical report.
ANIMAL:
Three-year-old, male racing Greyhound.
METHODS:
The fracture was not visible on orthogonal radiographs and the diagnosis was made by computed tomography. Open reduction and internal fixation with 2 countersunk 2.0-mm screws inserted in lag fashion was performed via a dorsal approach. Outcome was analyzed objectively by comparing preinjury and postsurgery racing performances.
RESULTS:
Internal fixation resulted in fracture healing and the dog returned to racing recording times similar to those before injury.
CONCLUSION:
Fractures of the fourth carpal bone may not be visible on standard orthogonal radiographic views and cross-sectional imaging may be required for more accurate identification. Surgical management was successful with the dog returning to preinjury levels of competition.