Observations of sacrocaudal fusion in Greyhounds and other dogs

Abstract

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.

Variation in the seventh lumbar vertebra and the lumbosacral junction morphometry associated with the sacrocaudal fusion in greyhounds

“…In the previous study by Oheida et al. (2016), the correlation between classifying sacra through the radiographs of bones and classifying sacra after collecting them was very high, this supports the findings of this study (Oheida et al., 2016). However, it was not easy to use radiographs to distinguish the different types of fused sacra.…”

“…In this study, radiographs were used to classify sacra into two types; standard and fused based on the space between S3 and Cd1 vertebrae (Figure 2), and this classification agreed with the classification of sacra after collecting the bones from cadavers and cleaning them, which validates the use of radiographs for sacra classifying by the number of fused vertebrae, (Table 4). In the previous study by Oheida et al (2016), the correlation between classifying sacra through the radiographs of bones and classifying sacra after collecting them was very high, this supports the findings of this study (Oheida et al, 2016). However, it was not easy to use radiographs to distinguish the different types of fused sacra.…”

“…Fifty‐five Sacra were classified into standard (consisted of three fused vertebrae) and fused (consisted of four fused vertebrae) as described by Oheida et al. (2016).…”

“…A recent study by Oheida et al (2016); on the prevalence of sacrocaudal fusion in greyhounds in Victoria, Australia, reported that 41% of specimens had a sacrum containing four vertebrae.…”

Structural anatomy and morphometric analyses of sacra in greyhounds

“…It is assumed that the spinous process is responsible for force transmission from the muscles to the vertebrae (Slijper, 1946). Abnormalities that have been identified to be associated with the sacrum in dogs include incidences of sacrocaudal fusion (Morgan, 1968; Oheida et al., 2016), sacral fracture and associated neurological deficits where the fractures traversed the spinal canal or sacral foraminae (Anderson & Coughlan, 1997). The incidence of sacrocaudal fusion tends to be more prevalent in greyhounds than other domestic dog breeds (Oheida et al., 2016).…”