Use of an ultrasonic Doppler flow detector for determining tissue viability in a dog

An 8-month-old sexually intact female Boxer was examined because of an almost complete disarticulation of the right thoracic limb at the level of the proximal phalanges. Viability of the tissue distal to the injury was considered questionable. An ultrasonic Doppler flow detector was used to determine that circulation to the portion of the digits distal to the injury had been preserved on the palmar aspect of the foot. Orthopedic repair of the fractures of the third and fourth digits and primary skin closure of the wound was performed. Infection and instability at the fracture sites resulted in pseudoarthrosis and a valgus deformity of the digits distal to the injury. The ultrasonic Doppler flow detector provided a simple noninvasive method for determining tissue viability in the severely traumatized foot of this dog.