Calcification of intervertebral discs in the dachshund: a radiographic study of 21 stud-dogs.
The vertebral columns of 21 clinically normal, 4.9 to 13.2 year old dachshunds were x-rayed. This sample represented 55.3% of all male dachshunds with 20 or more offspring registered with the Norwegian Kennel Club in the period 1985-1989. Calcified intervertebral discs were identified in 9 (42.9%) of the stud-dogs, and the number of calcified discs in each individual varied from 2 to 5 with a mean of 3.7. The frequency of stud-dogs with 1 or more calcified discs was compared with the corresponding frequency in a material of 327 one-year-old dachshunds. In this comparison, the relative risk was estimated with 95% confidence bounds. When the different composition of size and coat varieties in the 2 materials was not considered, the relative risk of calcified discs was found to be 1.77 (0.99-3.2) times higher in stud-dogs than in young dogs. When the different composition of varieties in the 2 materials was considered, the relative risk was found to be 1.9 (1.1-3.4) times higher in stud-dogs than in young dogs. The results of the present study strongly suggest that an increase in the frequency of dachshunds with 1 or more calcified intervertebral discs occurs after 1 year of age.
Stigen
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Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Norwegian College of Veterinary Medicine, Oslo, Norway.
D000818:Animals; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004285:Dogs; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D011859:Radiography; D012306:Risk; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*