Extra vertebrae in GSDs??? - Page 1

Someone on another list told about someone who bought a GSD pup was told by two vets that the dog had an extra vertebrae in the spine.  Now I think the person said the dog drags the rear feet at 9 years.  Sounds like DM.  If this is true, extra vertebrae, does anyone know if it is another recessive or what is the mode of production?

Thanks.

I wonder whether they mean this

Transitional vertebrae [edit]

Short ribs at the first lumbar vertebra, which is thus a transitional vertebra, since lumbar vertebrae normally do not have ribs attached to them.

Transitional vertebrae have the characteristics of two types of vertebra. The condition usually involves the vertebral arch or transverse processes. It occurs at the cervicothoracic, thoracolumbar, or lumbosacral junction. For instance, the transverse process of the last cervical vertebra may resemble a rib. A transitional vertebra at the lumbosacral junction can cause arthritis, disk changes, or spinal cord compression. One study found that male German Shepherd Dogs with a lumbosacral transitional vertebra are at greater risk for cauda equina syndrome, which can cause rear limb weakness and incontinence

Abby, thats a human pelvis and spine.

Sorry - bit distracted, copied wrong image in

 

Yes, GSDs can have TV.  I wouldn't say it's common, but it doesn't seem all that rare either.  Often I see people posting x-rays or OFA results and their dog has it.  I have one dog with it, as far as I know the parents did not nor do any of the siblings that have been x-rayed and my dog is OFA Good.  Normally it doesn't mean much of anything, but sometimes the pelvic attachment is asymmetrical and this can put the dog at higher risk for CE or exacerbate HD if the dog has it.  I asked Dr. Mostosky about it a few years back (he is an expert, OFA panel, did research for PennHIP, etc).  He said in his professional opinion, the condition itself would not render a dog unbreedable, but he would never breed two dogs that both had it.  The condition is congenital (meaning it happens while the dog is growing in the womb) and it's unknown whether it is always hereditary and if so, how the genes work. 

All of the wolves on Isle Royal have it, presumably due to their inbreeding.

OT but new-guinea singing dogs that actually spend a lot of time in trees have an extra vertebra, has zoo scientists in a turmoil classifying them as one classification will make them a non-dog canine species which means international recognition and protection and another classification would make them just another dog species which means they are worthless from a protection viewpoint. a bit of politics goes into the science over who best the classification would serve. the "dogs" are extremely agile because of the extra vertabrae and is why they can live in trees. there is audio links on the net of their singing.