Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Thoracic spine curve linked to hemivertebra in French Bulldogs
By Moissonnier, Pierre et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2011·Department of Surgery, France·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Thoracic kyphosis associated with hemivertebra.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of French Bulldogs was studied to understand how a condition called thoracic hemivertebra (a spinal deformity) affects their spine and any related neurological issues. Some dogs showed no signs of problems, while others had spinal cord issues linked to the hemivertebra. The research found that dogs with neurological signs had a more pronounced spinal curvature compared to those without symptoms. For dogs with severe spinal issues, realigning the vertebrae without opening the spinal canal could help relieve pressure on the spinal cord.
People also search for: French Bulldog spinal problems · dog kyphosis treatment · hemivertebra in dogs · dog spinal cord issues
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To radiographically assess the influence of thoracic hemivertebra on kyphosis and neurologic status in 45 dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. ANIMALS: French Bulldogs without neurologic signs (n = 41) and 4 dogs with compressive spinal cord disease associated with hemivertebra. METHODS: Thoracic spinal radiographs were divided into 3 groups: 1 = dogs with no hemivertebra, 2 = dogs with hemivertebra but no associated neurologic signs, and 3 = dogs with hemivertebra associated with clinical signs. Vertebral canal height, vertebral column angle, and the step between 2 adjacent vertebrae were measured in each group. RESULTS: Vertebral canal height was not significantly different in the 3 groups; however, mean vertebral column angle was significantly (P < .001) different between groups 1 (178°) and 2 (169°), and group 3 (133°). Median cranial step was significantly different between groups (P < .001): 0 mm (group 1), 0.3 mm (group 2), 3 mm (group 3). CONCLUSIONS: Vertebral canal height does not differ between normal dogs and dogs with thoracic hemivertebra. There is an important association between neurologic signs and kyphosis and subluxation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Vertebral realignment without vertebral canal opening could lead to spinal cord decompression in dogs affected by thoracic hemivertebra.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22091966/