Anatomical Study of Some Selected Bones of the Hind Limb of Local Domestic Dog ( Canis lupus familiaris )

Abstract

This study was aimed at investigating the age related changes in the morphometry and biometry of some selected bones of the hind limb of Nigerian local dog ( canis lupus familiaris ). In this study a total of fifteen dogs were used as sample and were grouped into five age categories (group A-E). The dogs were aged by estimation using dentition eruption and wearing. The segment of the hind limb was identified and separated from the rest from other parts. The gross study of the hind limb revealed that the hind limb was composed of: ossa coxarum, femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsal and metatarsal bones. The biometric study revealed that the weight, length, width and circumference were found to be increasing with advancement in age. The result revealed that mean weight, length and circumference of various segments of the ossa coxarum, femur and the tibia tends to increase with age across the group that is from group A to group E. However, there is variation in the length of the fibula, width of the obturator foramen and length of the obturator foramen. Base on the above results, it was concluded that base line data was established with the aim of enhancing learning.