Genetic background of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae in German shepherd dogs.

OBJECTIVES: Estimation of genetic parameters of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae based on data derived from radiographic screening of 27,597 German shepherd dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Results of radiographic screening for lumbosacral transitional vertebrae classified according to a published scheme were collected. Obtained data were used for estimating variance components in single and multiple trait linear animal models to obtain heritabilities and additive genetic correlations for different types of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae. RESULTS: Estimations indicated a moderate heritability of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae of h2 = 0.27. Trait definitions reflecting the different types of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae revealed positive additive genetic correlations of rg  > 0.5 between those types usually categorised as pathologic. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Results of comprehensive genetic analyses enable the development of breeding measures against lumbosacral transitional vertebrae to reduce their prevalence and support management of potentially correlated diseases in German shepherd dogs.

Observer variability and sensitivity of radiographic diagnosis of canine medial coronoid disease.

OBJECTIVE: Medial coronoid disease (MCD) is a very common form of elbow joint disease and it's radiographic diagnosis can be challenging since it is frequently based on the detection of rather subtle primary or secondary changes than on a large primary lesion. We hypothesized that accuracy of radiographic diagnosis of MCD is highly dependent on training and experience level. METHODS: Radiographs of 102 canine elbows were evaluated for MCD by four observers with different levels of training and experience. All elbows underwent CT scans and arthroscopy. Sensitivity and specificity of radiographic and CT interpretation was determined using arthroscopy as a gold standard. Interobserver and intraobserver agreement (reliability and repeatability) were assessed by using Cohen's Kappa (κ) statistic. RESULTS: The sensitivity (92.4-96.7%) of the two experienced observers was almost comparable to that of CT (100%) and significantly higher than that of the two less experienced observers (77.2-80.4%). Reliability of the radiographic diagnosis of MCD was better between observers with higher experience level (κ= 0.74) than between observers of lower or different experience levels (κ=0.07-0.42). Repeatability was better in experienced (κ= 0.73-0.88) than in less experienced observers (κ= 0.31-0.42). CONCLUSION: Our results confirm that training and experience play important roles in reaching high sensitivity, reliability and repeatability for the radiographic diagnosis of MCD. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although radiography is inferior to CT in imaging of the medial coronoid process itself, sensitivity of radiographic diagnosis MCD can be significantly improved with observer experience almost reaching that of CT. Therefore, it is advised that radiographic screening for MCD should be performed by specialists experienced in the radiographic evaluation of elbow joint disease.

Genetic analyses of elbow and hip dysplasia in the German shepherd dog.

Results from radiographic screening for canine hip dysplasia (CHD) and elbow dysplasia (CED) of 48 367 German shepherd dogs born in 2001-07 were used for the population genetic analyses. Available information included CHD scores for 47 730 dogs, CED scores for 28 011 dogs and detailed veterinary diagnoses of primary ED lesions for a subsample of 18 899 dogs. Quasi-continuous traits were CHD, CED and cases of CED without radiographically visible primary lesion (CED-ARTH). Binary coding was used for fragmented medial coronoid process of the ulna (FCP), borderline findings and mild to severe signs of dysplasia in hip and elbow joints. Genetic parameters were estimated in univariate threshold and multivariate linear and mixed linear-threshold models using Gibbs sampling. Correlations between univariately predicted breeding values (BV) indicated genetic differences between borderline and affected disease status for both CHD (r(BV) = 0.5) and CED (r(BV) = 0.3). Multivariate genetic analyses with separate consideration of borderline findings revealed moderate heritabilities of 0.2-0.3 for the quasi-continuous traits with positive additive genetic correlation of 0.3 between CHD and both CED and CED-ARTH. For FCP, heritability of 0.6 and additive genetic correlations of +0.1 to CHD and -0.1 to CED-ARTH were estimated. Results supported the relevant genetic determination of CHD and CED, argued for both diseases against interpretation of borderline findings as healthy and implied genetic heterogeneity of CED. Accordingly, future breeding strategies to reduce the prevalences of CHD and CED in the German shepherd dog should be most efficient when based on BV from multivariate genetic evaluation for CHD, CED-ARTH and FCP with use of the whole scale of categories for classification of CHD and CED.

Static and dynamic ultrasonography for the early diagnosis of canine hip dysplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility of sonographical examination of hip joints in non-sedated puppies and to assess the value of static and dynamic ultrasonography for the early diagnosis of canine hip dysplasia (CHD). METHODS: Prospective study was carried out. Five hundred and sixty-six puppies between the ages of 16 and 49 days underwent sonographical determination of the α-angle, joint laxity and distraction value (DV). Sonographical parameters were correlated to conventional radiographic CHD classification in the adult dogs. RESULTS: α-Angles between 74° and 89° (X±sd=82·8°±2·31°) were measured. Despite the feasibility of sonographical hip assessment in puppies, no statistically significant correlation was found between sonographical determinations of the α-angle, joint laxity, DV and conventional radiographic hip joint classification at the age of 12 to 24 months. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Results of our study suggest that static and dynamic ultrasonography of hip joints in puppies between 16 and 49 days of age is technically feasible but cannot be recommended for detecting puppies that will develop CHD between the ages of 12 and 24 months.

Genetic analysis of three different classification protocols for the evaluation of elbow dysplasia in German shepherd dogs.

OBJECTIVES: Three different scoring systems for elbow dysplasia and its radiographic signs were genetically evaluated in 2645 German shepherd dogs. METHODS: An animal model was used to estimate heritabilities and additive genetic and residual correlations for the three scoring systems: ED-SV, which is recommended by the International Elbow Working Group; ED-LA, developed by Lang and others; and ED-TH, proposed by Tellhelm. RESULTS: The effects of sex, age at examination and the correlation between the two factors were significant for all three scoring systems. Heritability estimates (se) were 0.18 (0.04) for ED-SV, 0.11 (0.03) for ED-LA and 0.16 (0.04) for ED-TH. The additive genetic correlations among the different single criteria for elbow dysplasia and the different elbow dysplasia scores were between 0.68 and 0.98, except for the criteria ununited anconeal process and osteochondrosis dissecans of the trochlea humeri, which were mostly genetically negatively correlated to the other radiological criteria. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The elbow dysplasia scores were determined by two genetically different traits. The possibilities for selecting German shepherd dogs with respect to elbow dysplasia might be improved by taking into account these two traits in the prediction of breeding values.

Genetic evaluation of elbow angles as predictors of elbow dysplasia in German shepherd dogs.

Elbow angles were measured in X-rays of both elbows to elucidate the usefulness of such data for selecting against elbow dysplasia (ED) in German shepherd dogs. These measurements record the size, proportions and alignments of the anconeal process (PA), the radius (RA), the olecranon (OL), and the ulnar trochlear notch (UL). The reference system for evaluating the information content of the measurements was the score for ED (ED-SV) as recommended by the International Elbow Working Group. Data from 2645 X-rayed dogs born from 1998 to 2001 in 1331 kennels were analysed by using residual maximum likelihood procedures to estimate heritabilities, additive genetic correlations and residual correlations. The pedigree file included 11,426 dogs and contained ancestors for up to six generations. ED-SV was significantly influenced by sex, by age within sex and by month of birth. The elbow angles were significantly influenced by the month and year of birth, X-ray positioning of the dog's forelimbs, angle of elbow flection, litter size and number of dogs X-rayed by the veterinary practitioners. The following heritability estimates were found: h2=0.18+/-0.04 for ED; h2=0.76+/-0.04 for OL; h2=0.52+/-0.05 for PA; h2=0.50+/-0.04 for UL; and h2=0.39+/-0.04 for RA. The additive genetic correlations of ED-SV with three elbow angles (OL, UL and RA) were close to zero. A higher additive genetic correlation to ED-SV was found only for PA, for which r(g)=0.31. The distributions of predicted breeding values for susceptibility to ED were not affected by regarding the elbow angles as additional traits in the multivariate prediction procedure. Measurements of elbow angles were thus shown to be unsuitable for use in selection programmes against ED in German shepherd dogs.

[Percutaneous occlusion of arterial vessels using permanent embolization for the treatment of an air sac hemorrhage in horses. A case report]. / Perkutaner Verschluss arterieller Gefässe durch permanente Embolisate zur Therapie einer Luftsackblutung beim Pferd. Ein Fallbericht.

This article reports a case of guttural pouch bleeding which was managed successfully by using intravascular embolisation systems to occlude the damaged vessels. Percutaneous catheterisation of the common carotid artery allowed angiographic visualisation of the main head arteries: A. carotis externa, A. carotis interna and A. occipitalis, which showed no abnormalities angiographically. Originating from the A. occipitalis, one artery sent smaller, extensively branching and tortuous vessels to the guttural pouch area. This branching was interpreted as a sign of inflammatory hypervascularization. The artery was occluded by positioning of a detachable balloon distally of the origin of the two small vessels. Insertion of two coils in the A. occipitalis proximally of the origin of this artery completed the embolisation. Occlusion of the distal part was necessary to avoid blood supply to the lesion from the contralateral arterial system via the circle of Willis. The technique used allowed occlusion of a selected head artery without direct surgical intervention in this area. There is no need to remove the implants. After catheterisation, no more episodes of epistaxis occurred. The causing diphtheroid inflammation in the guttural pouch was treated by local infusions of iodine-solutions and resolved completely within 24 days.

[Excision arthroplasty of the hip joint in dogs and cats. Long-term results of the veterinary surgery clinic at the Justus Liebig University of Giessen]. / Resektionsarthroplastik des Hüftgelenkes bei Hunden und Katzen. Ergebnisse einer Langzeitstudie an der Chirurgischen Veterinärklinik der Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen.

Since the introduction of excision arthoplasty in veterinary medicine the question of indication is often asked. The maximum of the patient's body weight up to which surgery should be performed is another discussed problem. A long-term study from January 1985 to July 1995 at the Veterinary Surgery Department at the Justus-Liebig-University was carried out to answer these questions (222 patients, 155 dogs and 67 cats). Trauma and Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease came first in the list of indications. In case of postoperative problems trouble with lameness after high activity, long rest or at the time of change in weather could be seen. No owner of an animal thought that the life quality of his animal was restricted by this occasional problems. At a body weight over 30 kg the occasional problems were more often seen but every patient had less clinical problems after surgery than before. In this group no deterioration was seen.

[Ulna growth retardation syndrome in the dog]. / Das Syndrom der Wachstumshemmung der Ulna beim Hund. Diagnostik und Therapiemöglichkeiten.

Premature closure of the distal ulnar physis leads to medial bowing of the radius, later to lateral deviation of the carpus, and ventral subluxation of the elbow. Diagnosis of this growth disturbance depends on accurate radiographical examination. There are different surgical treatments to allow the radius to grow without impediment. The prognosis depends on early treatment.

Radiology of the avian skull.

A standard radiographic anatomy of the skulls of three genera of birds (Psittacines, Accipitrines, Passerines) is worked out and illustrated by drawings. The African grey parrot is described as a standard. All detectable anatomical structures are identified and set into relationship to discernable structures in cockatoos (Cacatua galerita galerita), common buzzards (Buteo buteo) and mynah birds (Gracula religiosa).

[Vertebral osteomyelitis in a calf--the significance of neurologic studies in veterinary medicine for newborn and young animals]. / Vertebrale Osteomyelitis bei einem Kalb--Bedeutung der neurologischen Untersuchung in der Pädiatrie.

By a 4 weeks old being laid up calf the possibilities of the clinician's neurologic examination and further diagnostic aids (radiography, tomography and myelography) are presented.

[The optimal radiologic presentation of the horse digit under practice conditions]. / Zur optimalen röntgenologischen Darstellung der Pferdezehe unter Praxisbedingungen.

Requirements for optimal radiography of the horsetoe are described. Examples are given for getting X-rays of high quality under practice conditions, by using special intensifying screens and all the possibilities of radiological technique to guarantee a short exposure time.

[Tomography in veterinary medicine. Possibilities for the application of this x-ray technic demonstrated on the spinal column of a dog]. / Tomographie in der Veterinärmedizin. Anwendungsmöglichkeiten dieser Röntgentechnik am Beispiel der Wirbelsäule des Hundes.

After a short introduction of theoretical principles of tomography, the advantages of this technique--especially the representation of the dog's spinal column--are discussed with five case histories. This technique allows to produce isolated pictures of special parts of the spinal column which may be superpositioned by other body parts like: atlantooccipitalregion (especially dens axis), caudal cervical spine, thoracical spine and lumbosacral region. Particularly the evaluation of the intervertebral spaces, the small vertebral joints and the contours and structures of the vertebrae is enhanced, which is important in tumorous and infectious processes, as well as in fractures and luxations of the vertebrae. Besides the spatial association of certain structures is possible if their localization with conventional x-ray methods and even with exposures in two planes is unsuccessful.