Relation between defects in the lumbar spine and the position and dimensions of individual vertebrae in German Shepherds

Abstract

The German Shepherd is among the breeds most prone to pathologies of the lumbosacral spine. The aim of the study was to examine how the presence of spine pathology affects the shape of the lumbar spine and dimensions of individual vertebrae. Mathematical analysis consisted of three measurements for each lumbar vertebra. Based on the analysis, it was concluded that there was a correlation between the height of the first five vertebrae and the occurrence of the lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LTV). It was also shown that spondylosis manifested most often with a change in the distance between individual lumbar vertebrae. There was no correlation between the incidence of spondylosis and the height of the vertebral canal. In conclusion, the presence of a LTV significantly changes the dimensions of other vertebrae in the lumbar spine, which can lead to other pathological changes in the vertebral column.