Goniometry and Limb Girth in Miniature Dachshunds

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Neurology
• Comparative Biomechanics

Background:

• Thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion (IVDD) commonly causes pelvic limb weakness in miniature Dachshunds.
• Objective quantitative measurements of limb changes in affected dogs are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine mean and median pelvic limb joint angles and girth measurements in miniature Dachshunds with IVDD-related weakness.
• To assess if these measurements correlate with the degree of neurologic dysfunction.

Main Methods:

• Goniometry and limb girth measurements were performed on 15 miniature Dachshunds with IVDD.
• Dogs were categorized by neurologic status: ambulatory paraparetic, nonambulatory paraparetic, or paraplegic.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in joint angles or girth were found among the neurologic status groups (P > 0.05).
• Combined analysis of all dogs also showed no significant differences.

Conclusions:

• Goniometry and limb girth measurements are feasible in miniature Dachshunds, though challenging due to their unique limb conformation.
• Pelvic limb joint angles and girth measurements did not differ significantly between Dachshunds with varying degrees of neurologic impairment from IVDD at the time of measurement.