Copyright is owned by the Author of the thesis.  Permission is given for 
a copy to be downloaded by an individual for the purpose of research and 
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the permission of the Author. 
 
CAUDAL CERVICAL 
VERTEBRAL MALFORMATION 
IN THE 
DOBERMANN PINSCHER 
A thesis presented 
in partial fulfilment of the requirements 
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 
at Massey University 
Hilary Margaret Burbidge 
1999 
1 
Abstract 
The objective of this research was to further the knowledge and understanding of caudal cervical 
vertebral malformation, a feature of caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy in the Dobermann 
pinscher. 
The first study involved surveying 170 Dobermanns to determine the prevalence of caudal 
cervical vertebral malformation and neurological signs associated with caudal cervical 
spondylomyelopathy within this sample population. In addition, the relationship between the 
presence of cervical vertebral malformation, body conformation and neurological findings was 
investigated. It was found that 48.8% of adult Dobermanns and 28% of puppies had some feature 
of caudal cervical vertebral malformation. Dogs with radiological signs of caudal cervical 
vertebral malformation were 5.56 times more likely to have neurological deficits. In both 
instances the severity of these changes increased with age. Although the radiological signs of 
caudal cervical vertebral malformation were present throughout a wide age range (3 to 156 
months), the associated neurological signs tended to appear at a later age (six years and over). 
There was no statistically significant association between body conformation and the radiological 
signs of caudal cervical vertebral malformation. 
The fact that caudal cervical vertebral malformation was found in young Dobermann puppies led 
to a morphological study of the post-natal ossification of the canine caudal cervical vertebrae. 
The caudal cervical spines of 51 puppies (aged from 0 to 12 weeks) were examined grossly, 
histologicallY and radio graphic ally. This revealed that at birth, three centres of ossification were 
present: one in the vertebral body and one in the base of the pedicle of each neural arch. By one 
month of age, secondary centres of ossification were present in the cranial and caudal epiphyses 
of the vertebral body, and bony fusion of the laminae had occurred at the dorsal aspect of the 
neural arches. It was deduced that after one month of age and during normal development, the 
shape of the neural canal could be influenced only by changes within the physes between the 
vertebral body and the neural arch, or by remodelling of bone formed by intramembranous 
ossification. 
---- --- -- ------
Abstract 11 
A prospective study investigating the presence of caudal cervical vertebral malformation in 15 
DobelIDann puppies (from 0 to 16 weeks of age) found that two of these puppies had radiological 
signs of the condition by six weeks, and another three by between 12 to 16 weeks of age. The 
diets of these puppies were either balanced or only transiently deficient or excessive in protein, 
calcium, phosphorus and/or magnesium. There was no significant association between the growth 
rate of the puppies, in terms of body weight gain or increase in ulna length, and the presence of 
caudal cervical vertebral malformation. 
The cervical spines from 27 neonatal DobelIDanns (Group D) were examined grossly, 
radiographically and using computerized tomography for the presence of any caudal cervical 
vertebral malformation changes. The findings were compared to those of six, similarly examined 
cervical spines from other large breed canine neonates (Group 0). A significant difference was 
found between the two breed groups with the DobelIDann spines having evidence of relative 
stenosis of the cranial neural canal opening ( p = O.OOOl )and some features of vertebral body 
asymmetry (p = 0.04). In addition, the seventh cervical vertebra was found to have the most 
marked morphological changes when compared to the fifth and sixth. It was concluded that 
cervical vertebral malformation is a congenital malfolIDation in the Dobermann breed. 
In addition to the above studies, the growth characteristics of three breeds of dogs, Dobermanns, 
Labrador retrievers and Heading Dogs were investigated. It was found that each individual breed 
grew at a different rate to the other (with the largest breed growing faster than smaller) and that 
males grew faster than females. It was also realized that both measurement of body weight and 
increase in bone length was required to characterize canine growth, since there was a poor 
predictive relationship between these two parameters as the puppies aged. 
It was concluded from the studies that caudal cervical vertebral malformation is a congenital 
malformation and that growth rate, dietary imbalances and body conformation were not 
significant factors in its initial development. Possible implications of these findings and 
recommendations for future research are discussed. 
ill 
Acknowledgements 
I wish to acknowledge and thank my supervisors Professor E.C. Firth, Professor B.R. Jones, 
Professor H.T. Blair and Associate Professor K.G. Thompson for their advice, support and 
patience during this study. 
Numerous people have helped in some way in this project. In particular I wish to thank Nicky 
Moffat and Su Jenkins for their help in radiography, Leanne Fecser, Lee-Anne Lynch and Gayle 
McKenna for their typing expertise, Tony Watt and Angus Fordham for the photography, Alan 
Nutman for his expertise in preparation of specimens, Pam Slack and Pat Davey for the 
preparation of tissues for light microscopy, the veterinary practitioners, Dobermann breeders (in 
particular Shirley King, Carolyn Sandbrook, Diane Baker, Kit Jamieson, Lisa and Martin Slade) 
and the Animal Health Services Centre, Massey University who provided case material, Pauline 
Gordon, Mary-Jane Taylor and Jill Hogan for their assistance with looking after and handling 
many of the puppies and my colleagues who provided much encouragement through out the 
many years. A special thanks goes to Dr Dirk Pfeiffer for his patient and informative input into 
the statistical analyses contained within this thesis. 
I am indebted to the Auckland Veterinary Society and Companion Animal Society, New Zealand 
for their grant support for much of this work and to Massey University for the use of their 
facilities. 
Lastly I wish to thank my partner, Ross Whitlock for his understanding and continued support 
through both the good and the bad times. 
iv 
Dedication 
I dedicate this thesis to four men in my life who, in their own way, graciously lifted me upon 
their shoulders so that I might see new horizons. They are my father, Ralph Burbidge, and my 
mentors Jim Hardy, Sandy Lyons and Brian Goulden. 
v 
Publications 
Burbidge H.M., Pfeiffer D.U., Blair H.T. (1994). Canine wobbler syndrome: A study of the 
Dobermann pinscher in New Zealand. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 42, 221-228. 
Burbidge H.M., Thompson K.G., Hodge H. (1995). Post-natal development of canine caudal 
cervical vertebrae. Research in Veterinary Science 59, 35-40. 
Burbidge H.M. (1995). A review of wobbler syndrome in the Dobermann pinscher. Australian 
Veterinary Practitioner 25, 147-156. 
Burbidge H.M. and Pfeiffer D.U. (1998). The accuracy and reliability of linear measurements 
of the ulna for anthropometrical studies in dogs. Research in Veterinary Science 65, 53-
58. 
Burbidge H.M., Pfeiffer D.U., Guilford W.G. Presence of cervical vertebral malformation in 
Dobermann puppies and the effects of diet and growth rate. (Accepted for publication). 
Burbidge H.M., Pfeiffer D.U., Guilford W.G. A comparison of body weight and skeletal growth 
in puppies of three different breeds. (Submitted for publication). 
Burbidge H.M., Pfeiffer D.U., Jopson N., Broome C. Cervical vertebral malformation in 
Dobermanns - Are abnormalities present at birth? (Submitted for publication). 
VI 
Table of Contents 
Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1 
Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ill 
Publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v 
Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  vi 
List of Figures . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  x 
List of Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. xiv 
Chapter One. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 
Methodology of research work presented in this thesis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 
Chapter Two . A review of the literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  " 5 
Abstract . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  " 5 
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . " 5 
Nomenclature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .  " 6 
Species comparison of cervical spondylomyelopathy (wobbler syndrome) . " 6 
Aetiology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8 
Clinical Signs . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10 
Diagnosis . ..... . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12 
Pathology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 16 
Pathogenesis ............................................... , 20 
Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 23 
Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 30 
Chapter Three - Caudal cervical vertebral malformation: 
A survey of the Dobermann pinscher in New Zealand . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31 
Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ., 31 
Introduction ............................................... , 32 
vii 
Materials and Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 34 
Radiographic examination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 36 
Neurological examination . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 37 
Investigation of puppies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 37 
Genetic study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 37 
Statistical analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 38 
Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 
Characteristics of the study population . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  39 
Univariate analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  , 41 
Multivariate Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , 46 
Serial Survey of Puppies . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  47 
Genetic Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  47 
Discussion ................................................. 48 
Chapter Four - Post-natal development of canine caudal cervical vertebrae . . . . . . . .  52 
Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 52 
Introduction ................................................ 52 
Materials and Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 53 
Results ................................................... , 55 
Ossification Centres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  55 
Intervertebral Discs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 62 
Sagittal Diameters of the Neural Canal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 63 
Discussion ................................................. 65 
Chapter Five - The accuracy and reliability of linear measurements of the ulna 
for anthropometrical studies in dogs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 68 
Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 68 
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 68 
Materials and Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 69 
Study 1 - Assessment of the accuracy of the chosen sUiface 
landmarks as an estimate of ulna length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  69 
V1ll 
Study 2 - Reliability of repeated measurements by a single 
person (intra-observer error) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .  , 71 
Study 3 - Study to estimate the reliability of measurements by 
more than one person (inter-observer error) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .  71 
Results . . .. . . . . .. .. . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , 72 
Study 1 - Assessment of the accuracy of the distance between 
the chosen surface landmarks as an estimate of ulna length . . . . . . . . .  72 
Study 2 - Reliability of repeated measurements by a single 
person (intra-observer error) . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .  , 75 
Study 3 - Study to estimate the reliability of measurements by 
more than one person (inter-observer error) . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .  77 
Discussion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 79 
Chapter Six - A comparison of body weight and skeletal growth in puppies 
of three different breeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  82 
Abstract .................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 82 
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ., 83 
Materials and Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 84 
Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  87 
Body weights . . .. .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  , 88 
Ulna length . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 93 
Body weight and ulna length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 99 
Discussion . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. .. . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .  101 
Chapter Seven - The presence of caudal cervical vertebral malformation in 
Dobermann puppies and the effects of diet and growth rate . . . . . .  105 
Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 105 
Introduction . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 
Materials and Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 107 
Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  " I I I  
Discussion . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .  117 
Ix 
Chapter Eight. Cervical vertebral malfonnation in Dobennanns -
Are abnonnalities present at birth? .. . ..... . . . . . ... . ........ 121 
Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 121 
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 122 
Materials and Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ., 122 
eT cervical spine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 123 
Gross anatomy . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  124 
Radiography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 124 
eT of individual vertebra .................................. 124 
Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 128 
eT cervical spine ......................................... 129 
Gross anatomy .......................................... 129 
Radiography ........................................... , 129 
eT of individual vertebra .................................. 129 
Discussion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  134 
Chapter Nine - General Discussion .... .... . .... . . .. . .... . . . . . .. . .. . . . . ... 136 
Caudal cervical vertebral malformation in puppies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 136 
Causative factors for cervical vertebral malformation . . . . . .. .. . . .. . .. 139 
Caudal cervical vertebral malformation as a predisposing factor 
for wobbler syndrome ........................................ 143 
Conclusions ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 145 
Recommendations for future research ............................ 145 
Appendices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 147 
Appendix A. Dorsal spinous process angulation in 
Dobermanns with caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy as 
compared with other breeds ... .. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . .  147 
Bihiography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 155 
x 
List of Figures 
Figure 2-1 :  (A) Healthy Dobermann. (B) Dobermann with clinical signs 
of wobbler syndrome. Note arched neck and wide based hindlimb 
Page 
stance ..................... ................................ 11 
Figure 2-2: Lateral radiograph of caudal cervical region of a 'wobbler' Dobermann. 
Note the abnormal shape and orientation of the sixth and seventh 
cervical vertebrae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 13 
Figure 2-3: Radiograph of lateral cervical spine after myelography. The body of the 
seventh cervical vertebrae is deformed and the intervertebral disc space 
between this and the sixth cervical vertebral body is narrowed. The 
myelogram shows an extradural ventral mass which is causing 
spinal cord compression ............................. ....... .. . 14 
Figure 2-4: Radiograph of the same section of spine of Figure 2-3 showing how 
traction on the neck has relieved the compression ..... ............... 15 
Figure 2-5:  The seventh cervical vertebra from a normal dog (left) and from 
a Dobermann affected with caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy 
(right). Note the stenotic neural canal and deformed dorsal spinous 
process in the abnormal vertebra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 16 
Figure 2-6: a)Longitudinal midline section of caudal cervical vertebrae of a 
"wobbler" dog. The seventh cervical vertebrae is tilted and the 
cranial border of the body impinges on the spinal cord. b) The 
nucleus pulposus is within the intervertebral disc space. Extension 
of the neck increases the compression on the spinal cord, both 
ventrally and dorsally. c) Flexion of the neck relieves the 
compression as evidenced by the space dorsally ..................... 18 
Figure 2-7: Intervertebral disc extrusion between the sixth and seventh cervical 
vertebrae in an 11 year old female Dobermann causing spinal cord 
compression and haemorrhage ... .... ... .................. ...... 19 
Figure 2-8: Ventral aspect of cervical vertebrae showing access to the neural canal 
by ventral slot technique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 
Figure 2-9: Post-operative radiograph of ventral body lag screw fixation ........... 27 
Figure 2-10: Post-operative radiograph of distraction-fusion technique at the 
Xl 
sixth and seventh intervertebral disc space using screws and methyl 
methacrylate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 
Figure 3·1 : Topographical diagrams of body measurement points taken in 
each adult dog. Head length (A), head circumference (B), neck length 
(C), base width (D), wither height (E), rump length (F) ............... 35 
Figure 3-2: Diagrammatic representation of a caudal cervical vertebra, showing 
points for the measurement of sagittal diameters. Cranial sagittal 
diameter is the distance AB, caudal sagittal diameter is the distance 
CD and the sagittal diameter difference is (CD) - (AB) .............. .. 36 
Figure 3·3: The relationship between age of examination for 1 2  puppies 
which were examined repeatedly (the number indicates the radiological 
group at the time of examination for an individual puppy) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 
Figure 3·4: The relationship between neurological signs and radiological findings ..... 4 1  
Figure 3·5: Prevalence of dogs with radiological changes by age (H = prevalence 
of dogs with radiological Group H findings in the sample (Group Il I 
Group (I + Il + ITI); III = prevalence of dogs with radiological group III 
findings in the sample (Group III I Group (I + Il + Ill) ................ 43 
Figure 3·6: Prevalence of dogs with neurological signs by age (B = prevalence of 
dogs with neurological Group B signs in the sample (Group B / 
(Group (A + B + C); C = prevalence of dogs with neurological Group C 
signs in the sample (Group C / Group (A + B + C» .................. 45 
Figure 4·1 : LongitUdinal midline section through the caudal cervical vertebrae of 
a newborn puppy. Stained by PASI Alcian blue method. Bar = 0.2 2  cm. 
Note the bony cuff dorsally and ventrally (black arrows) and the cartilage 
canals (white arrow) .......................................... 56 
Figure 4-2: Transverse section of A) sixth and B) seventh cervical vertebra of 
a newborn puppy. Note the sites of endochondral ossification of the neural 
arches and vertebral body. The arrows indicate the vessel of drainage 
into longitudinal ventral vertebral sinuses. Stained by the P ASI Alcian 
blue method. Bar = 0.15cm .................................... 56 
Figure 4·3: Longitudual section of cervical vertebral body of a three to four week 
old puppy showing the growth plate between primary centre of ossification 
and the caudal secondary centre. The arrow shows a transphyseal vessel. 
Stained by the PAS/Alcian blue method. Bar = 0.0 06 cm .............. 58 
Figure 4-4: Longitudinal section of cervical vertebral body in a seven to eight 
week old puppy showing parallel orientation of the bony trabeculae 
on the epiphyseal side of the growth plate (arrows). Stained by the 
xii 
PAS/Alcian blue method. Bar = 0.0 06 cm ...... .... ....... ....... . 59 
Figure 4-5:  Gross specimens of  the sixth vertebral a)  newborn, b)  three to four 
weeks, c) seven to eight weeks and d) 10 to 12 weeks of age. A.. 
Viewed cranial to caudal Bar = 0.5cm. B. Viewed caudal to cranial ..... 61 
Figure 4-6: An intervertebral disc from a newborn puppy. Stained by the 
PAS/Alcian blue method. Bar = 0.013 cm ............... . . . ....... 62 
Figure 5-1 : Diagrammatic representation of the external (B) and 
radio graphical (R) measurement of the distance between the 
tuber olecrani and the tip of the styloid process ...... ...... . .. ...... 70 
Figure 5-2 : Scatter diagram of external and radiographic measurements of 
ulna length .... ..... .... ..... . ... ........ . .. ....... ... ..... . 73 
Figure 5-3 : Scatter diagram of the average of the two ulna length measurements 
(external and radiographic) against the difference between the two 
measurements including 95% limits of agreement ........ ..... ....... 74 
Figure 5-4 : Scatter diagram of average ulna length measurements against the 
maximum difference between repeated measurements taken by the 
same person .... ...... ........ . .... ... ....... .... ... . .. . .... 75 
Figure 5-5 : Scatter diagram of average ulna length measurements against the 
maximum difference (range) between measurements as recorded 
by different observers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  77 
Figure 6-1 : Line chart for average body weight in puppies by week of age and 
breed (error bars represent 95% confidence limits) ..... .... ... ..... .. 89 
Figure 6-2 : Line chart for body weight gain between successive measurements in 
puppies by week of age and breed (error bars represent 95% confidence 
limits) ..................................................... 92 
Figure 6-3 : Line chart for average ulna length in puppies by week of age and breed 
(error bars represent 95% confidence limits) ........................ 94 
Figure 6-4 : Line chart of the change in ulna length between successive 
ulna length measurements in puppies by week of age and breed 
(error bars represent 95% confidence limits) .. . . .. ................ . .  98 
-- -- ----- �--- --- --
Figure 6·5 : Scatter plot of relationship between standardised values of the average 
of both growth parameters and their difference. In the young puppies, 
the two growth parameters, body weight and ulna length show a consistent 
bias. However as the puppies age, the predictive relationship between 
these two parameters becomes less accurate (as demonstrated by the 
increased scattered arrangement of values). This variability is more 
marked in the Dobermann and Labrador puppies than in the Heading 
xiii 
Do g puppies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. lOO 
Figure 7-1 : Diagram illustrating the methodology in the measurement of the angulation 
of the dorsal spinous process. A = midpoint of the dorsal aspect of the 
vertebral body; B = midpoint of the dorsal spinous process attachment to 
neural arch; C = dorsal point of the dorsal spinous process . . . . . . . . . . .. 109 
Figure 7·2 : Lateral radiographs of the caudal cervical spines of Dobermann puppies 
(C6 = sixth, C7 = seventh cervical vertebra) : A) Normal, B) Abnormal 
shaped vertebral bodies and dorsal spinous process, C) Abnormal shaped 
vertebral body C 7  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 112 
Figure 7·3 : Line plot of body weight against age for the three litters of puppies ..... 115 
Figure 7·4 : Line plot of ulna lengths against age for the three litters of puppies . . . . .. 116 
Figure 8·1 : Photo graph of CT scan of the cervical spine of a newborn Dobermann 
puppy. The ventral surface of the neural canal is marked by a horizontal 
line. The vertebral alignment appears normal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. , 123 
Figure 8-2: The line profile of the CT threshold values for bone and cartilage as 
traced by a line passing through the mid-point of the dorsal spinous 
process and through the vertebral body of one of the cervical vertebra . . , 125 
Figure 8·3: A diagrammatic representation of the measurements made on the 
vertebral images ........ . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 126 
Figure 8·4:. CT images of fifth, sixth and seventh cervical vertebrae of a neonatal 
Dobermann (A) and other large dog breed (B) .. . ................ . 13 0 
Figure 8·5: Box plots of the distribution of the measurements on the vertebral 
images for the ratios NC, ACB, PCB and VBB for the fifth, sixth 
and seventh cervical vertebrae for both groups of dogs . . .. . . . ........ 13 2 
Figure 8-6: A scatter plot of the vertebral measurements, ratios NC, ACB PCB 
and VBB for the seventh cervical vertebra from the Dobermann 
puppies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . .... , 13 3 
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XlV 
List of Tables 
Table 3·1 : Descriptive statistics of body dimensions for the adult dogs 
Page 
in the study population . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 0 
Table 3·2: The distribution of age and body dimensions between different 
radiological groups I, Il and III ........... ............... . . . ... .. 4 2  
Table 3·3: The distribution of age and body dimensions between different 
neurological groups A, B and C . ......... ....................... 44 
Table 3·4: Final ordinal regression model for radiological findings ................ 46 
Table 3·5: Final logistic regression model for neurological signs ................. 4 7  
Table 4·1: Details of processing techniques used on 5 1  puppies for studying 
post-natal ossification of the caudal cervical vertebrae ... ........ ..... 5 4  
Table 4·2: Measurements of the cranial and caudal sagittal diameters of the 
fifth (CS), sixth (C6) and seventh (C7) cervical vertebrae .............. 64 
Table 5·1 : Results of two-way analysis of variance analysing the effect 
of dog and measurement method on ulna length in the study 
assessing the validity of external compared with radiographic 
measurement ..... . .... ......................... ......... ... 73 
Table 5·2 : Results of two-way analysis of variance analysing the effect of dog, 
leg and repeat measurement on ulna length in the study assessing the 
reliability of repeat measurements by the same observer ............... 7 6  
Table 5·3 : Results of two-way analysis of variance analysing the effect of dog, 
leg and observer on ulna length in the study assessing the 
reliability of measurements by multiple observers ..... ... ..... ..... .. 78 
Table 5-4 : Effect on deleting one observer on Cronbach's correlation coefficient 
Alpha in the study assessing the reliability of measurements by 
different observers ....... .. ......... .... . ............. . . . .... 79 
Table 6-1: Percent of recommended daily dry matter intake of nutrients in 
Labrador diets .. . .. ...... ... ......... ..... ...... ..... ....... 8 7  
- --- ------
Table 6 ·2: Percent of recommended daily dry matter intake of nutrients in 
xv 
Dobennann diets ....... . . ................... ................ 8 8  
Table 6 ·3 : Fixed effects included in mixed model for body weight in puppies . . . . . . . . 90 
Table 6 ·4 : Fixed effects included :in mixed model for body weight ga:in :in puppies .... 93 
Table 6 ·5: Fixed effects included in mixed model for ulna length in puppies . . . . . . . . . 95 
Table 6 ·6 : Average (+1- S.D.) ulna length in dams and 16 week old puppies ........ 97 
Table 6 ·7: Fixed effects included in mixed model for increase in ulna length 
between successive measurements ............................... 99 
Table 7-1 :  Radiological results of caudal cervical vertebral changes in 15 
Dobennann puppies ...................................... . .. 113 
Table 7 ·2: Percent of recommended daily dry matter intake of nutrients in 
Dobennann diets ........................................... 114 
Table 8 ·1 :  Descriptive statistics of the puppies ............................. 12 8 
Table 8-2: The mean and the 95% confidence intervals for the measurement ratios 
NC, ACB and PCB for the seventh cervical vertebra ................ , 13 1