A Sacral Lesion Resembling Osteochondrosis in the German Shepherd Dog

Abstract

More than 30% (21 of 65) of German Shepherd dogs with clinical signs of cauda equina compression had radiographic and pathologic abnormalities compatible with osteochondrosis of the sacral endplate. Most of these dogs had a defect in the dorsal part of the sacral endplate and a detached bone fragment in the vertebral canal. Similar lesions were also found in growing and young adult dogs without clinical signs. The dogs with clinical signs of cauda equina compression also had severe degenerative disc disease with protrusion of the lumbosacral disc and compression of the cauda equina, suggesting that the signs of cauda equina compression more likely were related to the secondary degenerative changes (disc protrusions) rather than the primary disease. Clinically normal German Shepherds with sacral osteochondrosis usually were younger than 18 months, the dogs with cauda equina compression and sacral osteochondrosis older than 18 months (mean age 4.8 years). On the average, these dogs were two years younger as compared to dogs with cauda equina compression without sacral osteochondrosis. Male dogs are more often affected than females (5:1). There is a breed predisposition: in dogs other than German Shepherds, osteochondrosis of the sacral endplate seems to be extremely rare.

Lumbosacral disease

“…Conversely, occasional dogs with lumbosacral disease will have normal survey radiographs (Ness, 1994). Identification of sacral osteochondrosis or transitional vertebrae increases substantially the likelihood that the dog's signs are due to cauda equina compression (Lang et al, 1992;Morgan et al, 1993;Morgan, 1999) (10.6).…”

“…Sacral OCD is present; the fragment moves with flexion and extension (Lang et al, 1992). Subluxation of the articular facets (arrowhead) with foraminal narrowing is also evident (10.11, 10.46).…”

“…Larger-breed dogs, particularly German shepherd dogs, are affected most frequently although signs are also reported in small dogs (Tarvin and Prata, 1980;Lang et al, 1992;Jones et al, 1995b). Young, working dogs that have been trained heavily are particularly prone to this disorder (Wheeler, 1992;Danielsson and Sjostrom, 1999;.…”

The Lumbosacral Junction in Working German Shepherd Dogs – Neurological and Radiological Evaluation

“…Canine hip dysplasia (CHD), sacral osteochondrosis (SOC), primary lumbosacral spinal canal stenosis and transitional lumbosacral vertebrae (TLSV) are frequently diagnosed in German Shepherd dogs (Oliver et al., 1978; Tarvin and Prata, 1980; Winkler and Loeffler, 1986; Morgan and Bailey, 1990; Lang et al., 1992; Morgan et al., 1993; De Risio et al., 2000). These heritable diseases are risk factors for the development of cauda equina compression syndrome (CES), a term describing clinical symptoms produced by compression or injury of the caudal lumbar, sacral and/or coccygeal segments of the spinal cord and associated nerve roots (Lang et al., 1992; Morgan et al., 1993; De Risio et al., 2000). Spinal cord diseases and CES in particular are common causes for early elimination of dogs in the USA military dog programme (Moore et al., 2001).…”

Prevalence of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae in dogs in the Czech Republic

“…The LTV has the characteristics of both spinal segments, although definition varies in veterinary literature (Morgan 1968;Colter 1993;Morgan 1999;Damur-Djuric et al 2006;Westworth and Sturges 2010). It is assumed that the LTV is a predisposing factor for earlier degeneration of lumbosacral junction and it is a risk factor for development of cauda equina syndrome (Lang et al 1992;Morgan et al 1993;Flückiger et al 2006;Moore et al 2001). The asymmetric type of LTV may result in pelvis rotation with a unilateral increase load of the hip and a higher degree of hip dysplasia (Flückiger et al 2009).…”