By: Lisa Lipitz, VMD, DACVIM - Neurology -Coral Springs Animal Hospital Neurologist
Chondrodysplasia
is
a
heritable disease
in
dogs,
hu-
mans,
and
other
spe-
cies.
The
term
refers
to a disturbance of endochondral ossification which results in abnormal growth of cartilage. This can lead to limb
deformities as well as degeneration of the intervertebral discs. Chondrodystrophoid breeds
dle, and Corgi, among others.
In chondrodystrophic breeds, intervertebral
disc degeneration occurs simultaneously in all
discs along the entire length of the vertebral
column at a very early age.
Within the first
year of life, the normally hydrated inner nucleus of the disc is replaced by cartilaginous tissue; partial or complete calcification of individual discs may then follow. This is referred to
as Hansen Type I degenerative disc disease.
The calcified discs are predisposed to explosive herniation, which results in spinal cord
compression, pain, and loss of neurological
function.
have developed over time via selective
The congenital malformation known as chon-
breeding of this pathological trait.
drodystrophia, combined with the abnormal
Daschund is the most commonly affected breed.
However, other
breeds are also considered
chondrodystrophic; these
include
the
Bassett
Hound, Beagle, Cocker
Spaniel,
Pekingese,
Lhasa Apso, Poo-
The
skeletal anatomy in affected breeds, predisposes these patients to develop degenerative disc changes and disc herniations at a young age.