ABSTRACT OF THE WEEK

Journal of veterinary internal medicine/ American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Volume 39 | Issue 1 (2025 Jan-Feb)

The relationship between radiographic disc calcification score and FGF4L2 genotype in dachshunds.

J Vet Intern Med. 2025 Jan-Feb;39(1):e17281.

Stacey Sullivan¹, David Redden², Frøydis Hardeng³, Malin Sundqvist⁴, Michelle Kutzler⁵

¹ College of Veterinary Medicine, Clinical Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA.; ² College of Osteopathic Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA.; ³ Norwegian Federation of Dachshund Clubs, Olso, Norway.; ⁴ Swedish Dachshund Club, Stockholm, Sweden.; ⁵ Animal Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:The relationship between radiographic disc calcification score and FGF4L2 genotype has been reported in only a small number of dachshunds.

HYPOTHESIS:A genotype with either 0 or 1 FGF4L2 copy will be associated with a lower number of calcified discs (lower K-n) compared with a genotype with 2 FGF4L2 copies.

ANIMALS:Dachshunds registered with the Norwegian or Finnish Kennel Clubs for which both K-n and FGF4L2 genotype are known (n = 407).

METHODS:Retrospective study (2012-2024). The frequency and percentage of dachshunds within each K-n group (K0, K1/2, K3/4, K5+) by FGF4L2 genotype (FGF4L2/FGF4L2, N/FGF4L2, N/N) were reported. The K-n distribution differences among genotypes were analyzed by the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test in SAS 9.4. Significance was defined as P < .05.

RESULTS:A difference in K-n distribution was found between dachshunds that have 0 or 2 FGF4L2 copies. However, no difference was found in the K-n distribution between dachshunds that have 1 or 2 FGF4L2 copies.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE:Most dachshunds with 1 FGF4L2 copy have radiographic disc calcification scores that are associated with substantially lower risk of symptomatic disc disease. Radiographic disc calcification scores are similar in dachshunds with 0 and 1 FGF4L2 copies. Given the high allele frequency of FGF4L2, breeding to produce progeny with 1 FGF4L2 copy is expected to be a more achievable short-term goal for dachshund spinal health breeding programs than breeding for 0 copies. It is recommended that both K-n and FGF4L2 genotype status be considered when choosing dachshund breeding stock.

Keywords

12‐FGF4; CDDY; K‐number; chondrodystrophy; disc calcification; type 1 intervertebral disc disease;

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Erratum In J Vet Intern Med. 2025 Mar-Apr;39(2):e70061. doi: 10.1111/jvim.70061.

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