Computed Tomographic Findings in Dogs with Presumed Metaphyseal Osteopathy

Metaphyseal osteopathy (MO) is a rare systemic disease primarily affecting young large-breed dogs. Diagnosis of MO is usually based on a combination of signalment, presenting clinical signs, and imaging findings. While radiographic features of MO are well documented, reports describing Computed Tomography (CT) findings are limited. Clinical records of a veterinary teaching hospital were searched for dogs with a presumed diagnosis of MO that underwent CT imaging. CT and available radiographic studies were retrospectively reviewed. Four dogs met the inclusion criteria. All presented with pyrexia, often associated with other clinical signs. CT lesions were bilateral and symmetric in all cases, characterised by an irregular metaphyseal band of lysis parallel to the physis with associated signs of bone sclerosis. Multiple long bones were affected, and mandibular involvement was suspected in two cases. Comparison with a radiographic study was available in two cases, and follow-up CT imaging was performed in one. Although radiographs remain the primary diagnostic tool for MO, understanding the CT features of the disease is valuable and may contribute to prompt diagnosis, particularly when evaluating young dogs with pyrexia and non-specific clinical signs.