Alterações congênitas em coluna vertebral de cães atendidos no hospital veterinário da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia

Abstract

Congenital vertebral body malformations are often incidental findings in routine radiographic examinations. However, it is known that the presence of vertebral anomalies can predispose the affected animal to other conditions, such as deformities in the spinal axle and development of degenerative disease. The present study aimed to survey the cases of congenital vertebral disorders, diagnosed through radiographic examinations, at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Uberlândia, during the period from 2017 to 2021. A total of 257 animals with the presence of congenital spinal alteration were found, out of the total of 14,349 cases evaluated. The most common alterations were transitional vertebra (60.14%) and hemivertebra (17.08%), however 13 radiographic findings compatible with block vertebra were also observed (4, 62%), 15 with spina bifida (5.33%), 3 with atlantoaxial subluxation (1.06%), 11 with vertebral agenesis (3.91%), 4 with supernumerary vertebra (1.42%), and 18 compatible with rib hypoplasia (6.4%). SRD dogs (85/257) and those that did not have their breeds informed in the clinical records (54/257) represented 54.08% of the affected animals. Among the 45.91% of purebred dogs, the predominant ones were the Poodle (6.61%), Pinscher (6.22%), French Bulldog (5.83%), Pug (4.66%) and English Bulldog (3.8%). The work highlights the importance of congenital alterations in canines, especially in brachycephalic breeds.