Animal Chiropractic Module 4 – Extremities Practice Exam 2026: Your All-in-One Guide to Success!

Birth defects caused by in utero factors can directly affect limb development and function at birth, leading to dystocia. A congenital flexural deformity is a limb joint contracture present from birth, often resulting from uterine malposition or teratogenic exposure that restricts normal development and movement. Because the limb remains fixed in a flexed position, it can obstruct passage during birth, making dystocia a common consequence. In contrast, an acquired flexural deformity develops after birth and isn’t tied to prenatal conditions, while osteochondrosis involves cartilage development issues that typically emerge during growth, not at birth, and spondylosis is a degenerative spinal condition occurring later in life. Thus, the congenital flexural deformity best explains a birth-present condition causing dystocia.