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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2016; 29(01): 61-67
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-15-04-0069
Original Research
Schattauer GmbH

Observations of sacrocaudal fusion in Greyhounds and other dogs

Aiman H. Oheida
1   Functional Anatomy and Biomechanics Group, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
2   Current address: Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya
,
Christopher J. Philip
1   Functional Anatomy and Biomechanics Group, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
,
Hung-Hsun Yen
1   Functional Anatomy and Biomechanics Group, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
,
Helen M. S. Davies
1   Functional Anatomy and Biomechanics Group, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
› Author AffiliationsThis study was funded by the Functional Anatomy and Biomechanics Group general research fund.
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 24 April 2015

Accepted: 08 September 2015

Publication Date:
19 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

Objectives: To describe the incidence and forms of nonpathological sacrocaudal fusion in racing Greyhounds and compare them with those in a variety of other domestic dog breeds.

Methods: This retrospective observational study used archived anatomical specimens from 81 racing Greyhounds and 10 Beagles, and archived clinical radiographs from 81 non-Greyhound dogs representing 37 other breeds. Dogs less than two years of age and dogs with evidence of soft tissue or osseous pathology involving the sacrocaudal region were excluded. The incidence of osseous sacrocaudal fusion (any type and complete fusion) was compared between Greyhounds and all of the other dogs combined, using the Fisher's exact test.

Results: Sacrocaudal fusion of some type was found in 33 (41%) of 81 Greyhounds but in only 14 (15%) of 91 non-Greyhound dogs (p <0.01). Complete fusion (osseous fusion of vertebral bodies and both transverse and articular processes) between the sacrum and the first caudal vertebra was the most common form in Greyhounds, found in 27 (33%) of 81 Greyhounds, but in only three (3.3%) of 91 non-Greyhound dogs (p <0.01).

Clinical significance: Sacrocaudal fusion appears to be more prevalent in Greyhounds than in other domestic dog breeds and may be attributable to selection pressure for speed on a region of the spine that is naturally prone to variation. Its significance for performance and soundness requires further study.

Keywords

Greyhound - sacrocaudal fusion
 

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