An adult male Belgium sheepdog was referred to the clinic after the owners had witnessed the dog being hit by a car a week ago. The referral clinician had been unsuccessful in an attempt to reduce the suspected coxo-femoral luxation. Additional radiographs were made. Do they add information concerning the injury? Radiographic diagnosis - (1) a dorsocranial luxation of the right femoral head without evidence of associated fracture from either the acetabulum or from the femoral head - (2) an oblique fracture through the ilium (arrow), (3) abrupt angulation of the line that identifies the ventral cortex of the sacrum as seen on the lateral view (arrow) - this, plus the radiolucent line extending obliquely within the caudal portion of the sacrum on the ventrodorsal view (arrows) confirms the diagnosis of a sacral fracture - and (4) flattening of the acetabulum and thickening of the femoral neck suggesting minimal secondary changes associated with hip dysplasia - these changes plus minimal subluxation of the femoral head are also identified on the left hip. Careful examination of the radiographic study indicated minimal flattening of the acetabulum and thickening of the femoral neck secondary to hip dysplasia. These changes explain why the closed reduction was unsuccessful. The sacral fracture shows little displacement of the fragments, but the possibility of a subsequent cauda equina syndrome should be considered. In the absence of neurological injury, the sacral and ilial fractures plus the secondary arthrosis would both influence the otherwise expected rate of recovery from a uncomplicated coxofemoral luxation. The owner chose to forgo surgical reduction understanding that a pseudoarthrosis would be the result. The owner was advised to observe the dog during convalescence knowing the presence of the fractures. Sacral fracture with femoral head luxation.
