Hemivertebrae in dogs – Literature review

Abstract

Hemivertebrae are congenital anomalies found most often in brachiocephalic dogs with helical tails. These anomalies represent around 7 % of the spinal alterations reported in the literature. They occur most commonly in the thoracolumbar region of the spine, causing symptoms of upper motor neuron damage in hind limbs. Dogs may display symptoms early in life which progress during growth. Diagnosis is based on symptoms, physical examination, and imaging studies. Treatment may be conservative in animals whose symptoms do not progress, but in animals whose symptoms progress, the treatment currently most indicated is surgical stabilization, with or without spinal decompression.