title: Goniometry and Limb Girth in Miniature Dachshunds.
abstract: Purpose. To report the mean and median pelvic limb joint angles and girth measurements in miniature Dachshunds presenting with varying degrees of pelvic limb weakness secondary to thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion. Methods. 15 miniature Dachshunds who presented to WSU-VTH for thoracolumbar disc extrusion. Dachshunds varied in neurologic status from ambulatory paraparetic to paraplegic at the time of measurements. Results. There were no significant differences in joint angles or girth among the three groups (ambulatory paraparetic, nonambulatory paraparetic, or paraplegic) (P > 0.05). When group was disregarded and values for extension, flexion, and girth combined, no differences existed. Conclusions. Goniometry and limb girth measurements can successfully be made in the miniature Dachshund; however, the shape of the Dachshund leg makes obtaining these values challenging. There were no differences in joint angle or girth measurements between dogs with varying neurologic dysfunction at the time of measurement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Ott Road, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Thomovsky
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Ott Road, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
authors.forename: Annie V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: USDA-ARS, Washington State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Ott Road, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
authors.forename: Alecia M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kiszonas
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Ott Road, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
authors.forename: Lori A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Lutskas