Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Muscle size and fat in Dachshunds with spinal cord compression
By Boström, Anna F et al.·Published in Research in veterinary science·2014·Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Comparison of cross sectional area and fat infiltration of the epaxial muscles in dogs with and without spinal cord compression.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of Dachshunds with spinal cord compression from intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH) were studied to see how their back muscles compared to dogs with non-compressive spinal cord issues. The researchers used MRI scans to measure the size and fat content of the muscles. They found that the Dachshunds did not show differences in muscle size or fat between the affected and unaffected sides, but dogs with fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE) had larger muscles and less fat. This suggests that the type of spinal issue can affect muscle health in different ways.
People also search for: Dachshund spinal cord compression treatment · dog back muscle issues · intervertebral disc herniation symptoms
Abstract
This study investigated the cross sectional area (CSA) and fat infiltration of the epaxial muscles in Dachshunds with compressive spinal cord lesions due to intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH) and in dogs with non-compressive spinal cord lesions with fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE). The CSA and fat infiltration of the multifidi and longissimus dorsi muscles were determined from T1 weighted magnetic resonance images. Difference in CSA and fat infiltration between the lesion- and non-lesion side in the Dachshunds was assessed using mixed model analysis. Difference in CSA and fat infiltration between Dachshunds and FCE dogs was analysed with independent sample t-tests. There was no difference in CSA or fat infiltration between sides in the Dachshunds. FCE dogs had greater CSA (multifidus P = 0.036, longissimus P < 0.001) and less fat infiltration compared to Dachshunds (longissimus P = 0.017). Duration of neurological deficits, age, body size and conformation are likely to have influenced the difference between the groups.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25294251/