Clinical Challenge:
8-year-old Labrador Retriever with a long-term history of intermittent left forelimb lameness, worsening over the past year. The dog had become less playful, struggled with stairs, and was showing signs of discomfort despite being on standard anti-inflammatory medication.However, after returning to work, the Greyhound continued to underperform and would intermittently pull up mildly lame following high-speed gallops. Clinical examinations were subtle, and repeat radiographs did not reveal any obvious new fracture or major abnormality.
Why Conventional Imaging Was Inconclusive:
Radiographs showed only mild degenerative joint changes, not enough to explain the degree of pain and mobility decline. Previous vet workups suggested “early arthritis,” but the clinical signs were disproportionate, and the true pain source remained unclear.
What SPECT-CT Revealed:
Functional imaging identified intense focal uptake within the left elbow joint, consistent with active inflammatory osteoarthritis and ongoing subchondral bone pain. This highlighted that the condition was far more metabolically active — and painful — than radiographs alone suggested.This confirmed that the dog was still experiencing active pathology and likely discomfort during high-intensity performance.
Outcome & Treatment Planning:
Following scan confirmation, the dog’s pain management plan was significantly adjusted. Medication was changed from a single NSAID approach to a multimodal regimen, including the addition of targeted neuropathic pain support and joint-specific therapies. Within weeks, the owners reported a noticeably brighter, more comfortable dog — with improved mobility, enthusiasm on walks, and a clear return to normal personality.