title: A follow-up study of neurologic and radiographic findings in working German Shepherd Dogs with and without degenerative lumbosacral stenosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify radiographic abnormalities associated with degenerative lumbosacral stenosis (DLSS) in German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs) and determine whether specific radiographic abnormalities could be used to identify dogs at risk of developing DLSS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  33 GSDs working as police dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Results of physical, neurologic, and orthopedic examinations were used to identify dogs with DLSS. Survey radiography of the lumbosacral junction was performed, and radiographs were compared with radiographs obtained 3 years earlier.
  
  
  RESULTS
  DLSS was diagnosed in 15 of the 33 (45%) dogs. Thirteen of the 15 dogs with DLSS and 14 of the 18 dogs without DLSS had radiographic abnormalities of the lumbosacral junction. Twenty-two (67%) dogs were able to perform unrestricted duties, including 3 dogs with suspected DLSS. Six (18%) dogs had been excluded from active duty during the period of surveillance because of DLSS. Significant progression in specific clinical and radiographic signs was detected, but multiple logistic regression analysis did not identify any radiographic signs that could be used to predict the development of DLSS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggested that survey radiography cannot be used to predict development of DLSS in working GSDs.
authors.affiliation: Section of Small Animal Surgery/Neurology, University of Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Steffen
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hunold
authors.forename: Gernot
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scharf
authors.forename: Malgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roos
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Flückiger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000662:veterinary; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000662:veterinary; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000662:veterinary; D011859:Radiography; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome