Abstract: Background-French bulldogs are the most common dog breed in the US and they appear to be overrepresented for congenital vertebral malformations. These malformations are often considered an incidental finding on radiographs, but may result in spinal deformities, such as kyphosis or scoliosis. In people, these changes can result in spinal pain.
Hypothesis/Objectives–To evaluate paraspinal mechanical sensory thresholds (MST) in French bulldogs with confirmed vertebral malformations and compare with healthy control dogs, to determine if overlooked paraspinal pain is present. We hypothesized there will be no difference in MST measurements between the two groups, despite the presence of congenital vertebral malformations in the French bulldogs.
Animals–Twenty-five client-owned French bulldogs perceived neurologically normal by their owners were recruited for the study. Twelve dogs of any breed, weighing 8-15kg, with no history of neurologic disease, were used as control dogs.
Methods: Vertebral column radiographs were performed in all dogs. MST were measured by an algometer applied to the paraspinal muscles at three vertebral sites and compared between groups. Algometer maximal force was 11lbs. P< 0.05 was considered significant.
Results – The difference in MST measurements between the French bulldog and control groups were not statistically significant at any vertebral sites tested. The mean paraspinal MST in the French Bulldogs and control dogs were 10.9 and 10.6 (scapula), 10.8 and 10.2 (thoracolumbar) and 10.8 and 10 (lumbar), respectively.
Conclusions – Presence of vertebral malformations alone in French bulldogs are unlikely to result in secondary paraspinal pain and do not warrant therapeutic intervention.
