Objectives

The study includes 118 dogs born in Norway. Metaphyseal irregularities radiographically characterized by islands of reduced opacity outlined by thickened, radio-opaque osseous trabeculae, which were aligned with the axis of stress, were present in 45.8 % dogs. The changes were most prominent and always present at 6 months, and were graded mild, moderate and severe.

Materials & Methods

The dogs were privately owned and had individual nutrition and environment with no maintenance protocol required by the project leaders. The dogs were scheduled for a veterinary examination at the ages 3,4,6,12,18 and 24 months including a radiograph of the right front limb. Dogs with other known causes of lameness were excluded when comparing lameness between the groups.

Results

The ratio male: female was 1.5: 1. The prevalence of lame dogs in the group with normal and mild changes was 12%, and 22% in the group with moderate and severe changes. The weight tended to follow the severity, with the heaviest dog in the severe group. A significant litter effect was found.

Conclusion

The clinical significance of irregularities seems to be most prominent in the group with moderate and severe changes.