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De Decker S, Rohdin C, Gutierrez-Quintana R. Vertebral and spinal malformations in small brachycephalic dog breeds: Current knowledge and remaining questions. Vet J 2024; 304:106095. [PMID: 38458418 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2024.106095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Small brachycephalic dog breeds, such as the French bulldog, English bulldog and pug have become increasingly popular. These breeds are predisposed to a variety of vertebral and spinal malformations, including hemivertebra, caudal articular process dysplasia, transitional vertebra, cranial thoracic vertebral canal stenosis, spinal arachnoid diverticulum and meningeal fibrosis. Recent studies have provided new insights into the prevalence, anatomical characteristics, pathophysiology and treatment of these conditions. Thoracic hemivertebra, caudal articular process dysplasia, transitional vertebra, and cranial thoracic vertebral canal stenosis occur commonly in neurologically normal dogs. Although the clinical relevance of these vertebral anomalies has therefore been questioned, severe kyphosis and hemivertebra in pugs have been associated with an increased likelihood of neurological signs. Meningeal fibrosis is characterised by the formation of dense intradural fibrotic adhesions, constricting the spinal cord. This condition has been heavily associated with the pug breed. It is in pugs further common to observe multiple concurrent spinal disorder in association with chronic progressive pelvic limb gait abnormalities. This clinical presentation has been referred to as 'pug dog thoracolumbar myelopathy' and potential genetic risk factors have recently been identified. Despite our increased knowledge, many questions remain currently unanswered. This review discusses our current understanding and controversies surrounding vertebral and spinal malformations in small brachycephalic dog breeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven De Decker
- Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK.
| | - Cecilia Rohdin
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, University Animal Hospital, Uppsala 75007, Sweden; Anicura Albano Small Animal Hospital, Danderyd 18236, Sweden
| | - Rodrigo Gutierrez-Quintana
- School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
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O’Neill DG, Skipper A, Packer RMA, Lacey C, Brodbelt DC, Church DB, Pegram C. English Bulldogs in the UK: a VetCompass study of their disorder predispositions and protections. Canine Med Genet 2022; 9:5. [PMID: 35701824 PMCID: PMC9199211 DOI: 10.1186/s40575-022-00118-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The English Bulldog has risen sharply in popularity over the past decade but its distinctive and extreme conformation is linked to several serious health conditions. Using multivariable analysis of anonymised veterinary clinical data from the VetCompass Programme, this study compared the odds of common disorders between English Bulldogs and all remaining dogs in the UK during 2016. RESULTS From 905,544 dogs under veterinary care during 2016, the analysis included a random sample of 2,662 English Bulldogs and 22,039 dogs that are not English Bulldogs. English Bulldogs had 2.04 times the odds of diagnosis with ≥ 1 disorder than dogs that are not English Bulldogs (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.85 to 2.25). At a specific-level of diagnostic precision, English Bulldogs had increased odds of 24/43 (55.8%) disorders. These included: skin fold dermatitis (odds ratio [OR] 38.12; 95% CI 26.86 to 54.10), prolapsed nictitating membrane gland (OR 26.79; 95% CI 18.61 to 38.58) and mandibular prognathism (OR 24.32; 95% CI 13.59 to 43.53). Conversely, English Bulldogs had significantly reduced odds of 6/43 (14.0%) disorders. These included: retained deciduous tooth (OR 0.02; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.17), lipoma (OR 0.06; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.40) and periodontal disease (OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.18 to 0.30). At a grouped-level of diagnostic precision, English Bulldogs had significantly increased odds of 17/34 (50.0%) disorders. These included: congenital disorder (OR 7.55; 95% CI 5.29 to 10.76), tail disorder (OR 6.01; 95% CI 3.91 to 9.24) and lower respiratory tract disorder (OR 5.50; 95% CI 4.11 to 7.35). Conversely, English Bulldogs had significantly reduced odds of 3/34 (8.8%) disorders. These were: dental disorder (OR 0.25; 95% CI 0.20 to 0.31), spinal cord disorder (OR 0.31; 95% CI 0.14 to 0.71) and appetite disorder (OR 0.43; 95% CI 0.20 to 0.91). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that the health of English Bulldogs is substantially lower than dogs that are not English Bulldogs and that many predispositions in the breed are driven by the extreme conformation of these dogs. Consequently, immediate redefinition of the breed towards a moderate conformation is strongly advocated to avoid the UK joining the growing list of countries where breeding of English Bulldogs is banned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan G. O’Neill
- grid.20931.390000 0004 0425 573XPathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, AL9 7TA Herts UK
| | - Alison Skipper
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Department of History, King’s College London, Strand, London, WC2R 2LS UK
| | - Rowena M. A. Packer
- grid.20931.390000 0004 0425 573XClinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, AL9 7TA Herts UK
| | - Caitriona Lacey
- grid.20931.390000 0004 0425 573XPathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, AL9 7TA Herts UK
| | - Dave C. Brodbelt
- grid.20931.390000 0004 0425 573XPathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, AL9 7TA Herts UK
| | - David B. Church
- grid.20931.390000 0004 0425 573XClinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, AL9 7TA Herts UK
| | - Camilla Pegram
- grid.20931.390000 0004 0425 573XPathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, North Mymms, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, AL9 7TA Herts UK
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Santifort KM, Gutierrez-Quintana R, Bernardini M, Kortz GD, Gomes SA, Lowrie M, De Decker S, Glass EN, Bergknut N. Vertebral vascular canal dysplasia in French and English Bulldogs: Clinical, CT, and MRI characteristics and prevalence. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2022; 63:281-291. [PMID: 35199424 DOI: 10.1111/vru.13067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The authors have observed a vertebral anomaly in French and English Bulldogs and termed this anomaly "vertebral vascular canal dysplasia (VVCD)." No previously published descriptions of this anomaly were found. The aims of this retrospective, multi-institutional, observational study were to (1) describe the clinical, CT, and MRI characteristics of VVCD, and (2) estimate the prevalence and describe the characteristics of VVCD in a group of French and English Bulldogs. For descriptions of the anomaly, medical records and imaging studies of nine clinical cases with VVCD from several countries were reviewed. For estimation of prevalence, imaging studies of French and English Bulldogs from the United Kingdom (UK) and Italy were reviewed. All clinical case dogs had ≥5 thoracic vertebrae with VVCD affecting >50% of vertebral body height (VBH). The prevalence of VVCD involving ≥1 thoracic vertebra in the UK population (CT identified) of English Bulldogs and French Bulldogs was, respectively, 83.3% (30/36) and 68.3% (28/41). English Bulldogs had significantly more thoracic vertebrae with VVCD than French Bulldogs (P = < 0.01). The prevalence of VVCD in ≥1 thoracic vertebra in the Italian population (MRI identified) of English Bulldogs and French Bulldogs was, respectively, 21.7% (5/23) and 6.6% (7/106). Vertebral vascular canal dysplasia was observed in normal as well as in malformed vertebrae (e.g., hemivertebrae). Findings from the current study introduced descriptions of VVCD that can be used as background for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koen M Santifort
- Evidensia Small Animal Hospital 'Hart van Brabant' and Arnhem, Waalwijk and Arnhem, The Netherlands.,Evidensia Small Animal Hospital Arnhem, Arnhem, The Netherlands
| | - Rodrigo Gutierrez-Quintana
- School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Marco Bernardini
- AniCura Veterinary Hospital 'Portoni Rossi', Zola Predosa, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Animal Medicine, Productions and Health, University of Padua, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Gregg D Kortz
- VCA Sacramento Veterinary Referral Center, Sacramento, California, USA
| | | | | | - Steven De Decker
- Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, UK
| | - Eric N Glass
- Section of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, Tinton Falls, New Jersey, USA
| | - Niklas Bergknut
- Evidensia Small Animal Hospital 'Hart van Brabant' and Arnhem, Waalwijk and Arnhem, The Netherlands
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O'Neill DG, Packer RMA, Francis P, Church DB, Brodbelt DC, Pegram C. French Bulldogs differ to other dogs in the UK in propensity for many common disorders: a VetCompass study. Canine Med Genet 2021; 8:13. [PMID: 34911586 PMCID: PMC8675495 DOI: 10.1186/s40575-021-00112-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The French Bulldog is a highly popular dog breed but is linked with many serious health issues. A holistic view of breed health in French Bulldogs would assist efforts to appreciate the overall health strengths and weaknesses in the French Bulldog and to take appropriate steps to mitigate these. Based on random sampling of French Bulldogs and non-French Bulldogs under primary veterinary care during 2016 within the VetCompass Programme, a cohort study design was used to estimate the one-year (2016) period prevalence of the most commonly diagnosed disorders in each group. Risk factor analysis used multivariable logistic regression modelling methods. Results The analysis included 2,781 French Bulldogs and 21,850 non-French Bulldogs. French Bulldogs were younger (1.51 years, IQR 0.86 – 2.77 vs. 4.48 years, IQR 1.94 – 8.14) (p < 0.001) and lighter (12.45 kg, IQR 11.00 – 14.03 versus 13.80 kg, IQR 8.10 – 25.12) (p < 0.001) than non-French Bulldogs. Of 43 common specific-level disorders across both groups, French Bulldogs had significantly increased adjusted odds of 20/43 (46.5 %) disorders and significantly reduced adjusted odds of 11/43 (25.6 %) disorders compared to non-French Bulldogs. Highly predisposed disorders in French Bulldogs included stenotic nares (OR 42.14; 95 % CI 18.50 to 95.99; p < 0.001), Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (OR 30.89; 95 % CI 20.91 to 45.64; p < 0.001), aural discharge (OR 14.40; 95 % CI 9.08 to 22.86; p < 0.001), skin fold dermatitis (OR 11.18; 95 % CI 7.19 to 17.40; p < 0.001) and dystocia (OR 9.13; 95 % CI 5.17 to 16.13; p < 0.001). At a grouped-level of diagnostic precision, French Bulldogs had increased adjusted odds of 12/32 (37.5 %) disorders and reduced adjusted odds of 6/32 (18.8 %) disorders compared to non-French Bulldogs. Conclusions These results identified ultra-predispositions with worryingly higher odds in French Bulldogs for several disorders, suggesting that the health of French Bulldogs has diverged substantially from, and may be lower than, the health of the wider non-French Bulldog population. Many of these predispositions are closely associated with the conformational extremes that define the French Bulldog breed. Shifting the typical conformation of the French Bulldog population towards a more moderate phenotype is proposed as a logical opportunity to reduce the serious health issues endemic in the French Bulldog breed. The French Bulldog is currently a hugely popular dog breed in the UK. However, the breed is linked with a range of serious health issues. Using veterinary clinical data from the VetCompass Programme at the Royal Veterinary College, this study aimed to compare the frequency of common disorders in French Bulldogs against that of all remaining dogs to identify health strengths and weaknesses in French Bulldogs. This overall view of breed health can assist owners, breeders and veterinarians to take appropriate actions to improve the health of French Bulldogs. From an overall population of 905,544 dogs, random samples of 2,781 French Bulldogs and 21,850 non-French Bulldogs were included in the analysis. French Bulldogs were younger (1.51 years versus 4.48 years) and lighter (12.45 kg versus 13.80 kg) than non-French Bulldogs. French Bulldogs had increased risk of 20/43 (46.5 %) specific disorders and decreased risk of 11/43 (25.6 %) specific disorders compared to non-French Bulldogs. The disorders with greatest relative risk in French Bulldogs compared to non-French Bulldogs were narrowed nostrils (x 42.14), Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (x 30.89), ear discharge (x 14.40), skin fold dermatitis (x 11.18) and difficulty giving birth [dystocia] (x 9.13). When the disorders were grouped into broad disease categories, French Bulldogs had increased risk of 12/32 (37.5 %) disorder groups and reduced risk of 6/32 (18.8 %) disorder groups compared to non-French Bulldogs. This study suggests that the health of French Bulldogs is very different, and largely much poorer, that the health of the wider non-French Bulldog population. Many of these differences are closely associated with the extreme body shape that defines the French Bulldog breed. Shifting the body shape of French Bulldogs to become more moderate, and hence less extreme, is proposed as a logical opportunity to reduce the current serious and common health issues in the French Bulldog breed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan G O'Neill
- Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, AL9 7TA, Hatfield, Herts, UK.
| | - Rowena M A Packer
- Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, AL9 7TA, Hatfield, Herts, UK
| | - Peter Francis
- Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, AL9 7TA, Hatfield, Herts, UK
| | - David B Church
- Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, AL9 7TA, Hatfield, Herts, UK
| | - Dave C Brodbelt
- Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, AL9 7TA, Hatfield, Herts, UK
| | - Camilla Pegram
- Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, AL9 7TA, Hatfield, Herts, UK
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Brown JD, Podadera J, Ward M, Goldsmid S, Simpson DJ. The presence, morphology and clinical significance of vertebral body malformations in an Australian population of French Bulldogs and Pugs. Aust Vet J 2021; 99:378-387. [PMID: 34137021 DOI: 10.1111/avj.13094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the incidence, morphology and clinical significance of congenital vertebral malformations (CVM) in two breeds of brachycephalic dogs presenting to a referral veterinary hospital. DESIGN Prospective cohort study series. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-nine French Bulldogs and Pugs were prospectively evaluated and placed in one of two groups based on whether or not they presented for neurological signs referable to spinal cord disease. A computed tomography (CT) of their entire spine was obtained and the presence and classification of CVM along with the degree of spinal kyphosis recorded for all dogs. Statistical analysis was performed to identify clinical associations between these factors (P < 0.05). RESULTS CVM were prevalent across both breeds with the French Bulldog having more malformations than the Pug (Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric analysis of variance, P < 0.0001). Breed associated vertebral malformation subtypes included butterfly subtype in French Bulldogs (Chi-square, P = 0.0002), and transitional subtype in Pugs (odds ratio, 22.7; P = 0.000). A new subtype, dorsal wedge, was observed in 12 cases. The presence, number and subtype of vertebral malformation were not reliable for predicting the development of neurological signs across both breeds (Chi-square, P > 0.05). However, spinal kyphosis >35° calculated via Cobb angle was associated with Pugs that had neurological deficits (Chi-square, P = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS Congenital vertebral malformations largely appear to be incidental findings in this population of French Bulldogs but are of more significance in the Pug breed when spinal kyphosis is >35°. French Bulldogs that have spinal cord disease and CVM are more likely to have pathology distant to CVM with intervertebral disc herniation most common.
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Affiliation(s)
- J D Brown
- Surgery Department, Animal Referral Hospital, Homebush, New South Wales, Australia
| | - J Podadera
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales, Australia
| | - M Ward
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camden, New South Wales, Australia
| | - S Goldsmid
- Surgery Department, Animal Referral Hospital, Homebush, New South Wales, Australia
| | - D J Simpson
- Surgery Department, Animal Referral Hospital, Homebush, New South Wales, Australia
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Lackmann F, Forterre F, Brunnberg L, Loderstedt S. Epidemiological study of congenital malformations of the vertebral column in French bulldogs, English bulldogs and pugs. Vet Rec 2021; 190:e509. [PMID: 34021609 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital vertebral body malformations (CVBMs) have retrospectively been investigated in British and American canine populations. This study prospectively evaluates occurrence, localization, type and characteristic of CVBM along the entire vertebral column in a cohort of French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs and Pug dogs from Germany. METHODS Prospective clinical and radiological screenings for CVBM were performed in brachycephalic dogs presented for reasons unrelated to neurological problems. Neurological and orthopaedic examinations as well as radiographs in two orthogonal planes of the entire vertebral column including the tail were performed in all dogs. Cobb angle and vertebral step were determined. Associations between CVBM, tail malformation, neurological deficits and occurrence of concurrent orthopaedic diseases were investigated. RESULTS A total of 707 VBMs were identified in the whole vertebral column of 169 of 265 brachycephalic dogs. The most common types of CVBMs were ventral wedge shape (48%), dorsal wedge shape (14%) and shortened vertebral body (14%). A new type of malformation was investigated: dorsal wedge shape vertebrae. There was significant association between severe tail malformations with CVBM. Neurological deficits were significantly associated with ventrolateral wedge shape, dorso lateral hemivertebrae, Cobb angle > 30% and vertebral step ≥1.75 mm. Orthopaedic conditions were not significantly associated with CVBM. CONCLUSION Kyphotic Cobb angle and vertebral step are radiological findings associated with neurological deficits. We propose severe tail malformation as an easy and accurate selection factor for determining breeding dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Lackmann
- Small Animal Clinic, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Franck Forterre
- Small Animal Clinic, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Leo Brunnberg
- Small Animal Clinic, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Shenja Loderstedt
- Department for Small Animal, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
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Conte A, Bernardini M, De Decker S, Ricco C, Behr S, Sanchez-Masian D, Cherubini GB, De Risio L, Gutierrez-Quintana R. Thoracic Vertebral Canal Stenosis Associated with Vertebral Arch Anomalies in Small Brachycephalic Screw-Tail Dog Breeds. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2020; 34:191-199. [PMID: 33285597 DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1721375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to describe clinical and imaging features of thoracic vertebral canal stenosis secondary to the hypertrophy of the vertebral lamina and articular processes in screw-tail brachycephalic dog breeds, to evaluate the prevalence of the malformation in a large group of screw-tail dog breeds and to determine if degree of stenosis is associated with presence of neurological signs. STUDY DESIGN This is a retrospective multicentric study. MATERIALS AND METHODS Clinical records of 185 screw-tail brachycephalic dogs (French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Boston Terriers) and Pugs were reviewed. Ten dogs with neurological deficits secondary to thoracic vertebral canal stenosis diagnosed on magnetic resonance imaging were identified (Group 1). Neurologically normal dogs (n = 175) of the same breeds underwent computed tomographic imaging of the thoracic vertebral column for other medical reasons (Group 2). Cross-sectional measurements were used to calculate a stenotic ratio. RESULTS Group 1 consisted of three French Bulldogs, six English Bulldogs and one Pug. Eight were males. Most dogs presented with progressive non-painful pelvic limbs ataxia and paresis. Twenty stenotic sites were identified with the most common being T4-T5. Three of ten dogs were treated surgically and all had a good long-term outcome. In Group 2, 33 of 175 dogs had one or more stenotic sites with the most common being T2-T3. The degree of the stenosis was significantly higher in Group 1 (p = 0.019). A stenotic ratio of 0.56 had sensitivity and specificity of 67% to differentiate between dogs with and without neurological signs. CONCLUSION Cranial thoracic vertebral canal stenosis is observed predominantly in young male Bulldogs, but not all stenoses are clinically relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marco Bernardini
- Ospedale Veterinario "I Portoni Rossi", Zola Pedrosa, Italy.,Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Steven De Decker
- Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Cristoforo Ricco
- Willows Veterinary Centre & Referral Service, Solihull, United Kingdom
| | - Sebastien Behr
- Willows Veterinary Centre & Referral Service, Solihull, United Kingdom
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De Decker S, Packer RMA, Cappello R, Harcourt-Brown TR, Rohdin C, Gomes SA, Bergknut N, Shaw TA, Lowrie M, Gutierrez-Quintana R. Comparison of signalment and computed tomography findings in French Bulldogs, Pugs, and English Bulldogs with and without clinical signs associated with thoracic hemivertebra. J Vet Intern Med 2019; 33:2151-2159. [PMID: 31407402 PMCID: PMC6766535 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although thoracic hemivertebra can cause neurological signs, they occur commonly in neurologically normal dogs. OBJECTIVES To evaluate whether computed tomography (CT) findings and factors associated with signalment can be used to differentiate between dogs with and without neurological signs associated with hemivertebra. ANIMALS One hundred sixty dogs with ≥1 hemivertebrae were retrospectively studied. This group consisted of 40 dogs with clinical signs caused by hemivertebra and 40 French Bulldogs, 40 Pugs, and 40 English Bulldogs that underwent CT for reasons unrelated to neurological disease. METHODS All dogs underwent CT and affected dogs also underwent magnetic resonance imaging. All CT studies were randomly evaluated by an observer blinded to signalment and clinical status. The following variables were evaluated: presence, number, location, and subtype of hemivertebra; presence of vertebral subluxation; severity of vertebral canal stenosis; presence, location, and severity of kyphosis, and number of vertebrae involved in the kyphotic segment. Statistical modeling was performed to identify factors associated with clinical status. RESULTS Pug breed (odds ration [OR], 10.8; P = .01), more severe kyphosis (OR, 1.1 per grade increase; P < .001), fewer instead of more observed hemivertebrae (OR, 0.8; P = 0.03), and ventrolateral hypoplasia hemivertebra subtype (OR, 4.0; P = .011) were associated with higher likelihood of neurological disease. A Cobb angle of 34.5 degrees corresponded with the highest combined sensitivity and specificity to differentiate between clinically affected and unaffected dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE The variables identified could aid in differentiating between clinically relevant and irrelevant hemivertebra in small breed brachycephalic dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven De Decker
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | - Rowena M A Packer
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, United Kingdom
| | | | - Tom R Harcourt-Brown
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, North Somerset, United Kingdom
| | - Cecilia Rohdin
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.,Anicura, Albano Small Animal Hospital, Danderyd, Sweden
| | | | - Niklas Bergknut
- North Downs Specialist Referrals, Bletchingley, United Kingdom
| | - Tom A Shaw
- School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, North Somerset, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Lowrie
- Dovecote Veterinary Hospital, Derby, United Kingdom
| | - Rodrigo Gutierrez-Quintana
- School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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