Dear Shirley:
I'm afraid I'm not much help here. I have two Pugs, and one does have a
vertebral malformation at T12. I would call this a block or butterfly
vertebrae. The spine has gotten more bowed up (kyphosed) as she has aged--
it is really quite visible now at the age of 10, but it is clinically
insignificant.
A true hemi-vertebra has 1 or more wedge shaped vertebral bodies usually in
the T7 to T9 area. There is a marked kyphosis that is progressive. It is
often clinically significant at less than a year of age. Some times these
dogs have a vertebral "blow out" following a jump or fall and are totally
paralyzed. Treatment is surgical stabilization, and it is difficult and not
often sucessfull. I personally have only seen this in a Boston and English
Bulldog.
I might recommend that you talk to a veterinary radiologist for more
information. Ask your veterinarian for a referral to one in your area.
Information on this subject I'm sure is hard to come by. There are many
breeders that would not ever want to admit that this is in their line. I
commend you on your efforts.
Sincerely,
Heinz Vet
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> From: Heinz.Pet.Products.Web.Site
> To: askvet@one.net
> Subject: Ask A Vet Question
> Date: Thursday, October 23, 1997 12:17 AM
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