Development of Intervertebral Disk

Calcification in the Dachshund:

A Prospective Longitudinal
Radiographic Study
Plain spinal radiography was performed in 40 dachshunds at regular intervals from 6 or 12 months
of age to 2 years of age. A follow-up study at 3 to 4 years of age included 12 dogs. High incidence
rates of intervertebral disk calcification were seen at 6 to18 months of age. The number of dogs
affected and number of calcified disks seemed to reach a steady level or a maximum at about 24 to
27 months of age. Dissolution of previously calcified disks without clinical signs was demonstrated,
causing decreasing numbers of visibly calcified disks after 2 years of age. Radiographic examina-
tion for calcified intervertebral disks in the dachshund is recommended at 24 to 30 months of age
for heritability studies and selective breeding. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2001;37:275–283.

Vibeke F. Jensen, DVM, PhD Introduction

Jens Arnbjerg, DVM, Herniation of the intervertebral disk is a significant clinical problem in
Diplomate ECVDI dogs, particularly in the hypochondroplastic (former chondrodystrophoid1)
breeds. The dachshund has by far the highest breed incidence, and the rel-
ative risk in this breed is 10 to 12 times higher when compared to all
other breeds.2-4 The predisposition in the hypochondroplastic breeds
reflects a specific type of intervertebral disk degeneration, chondroid
O metamorphosis, with an early onset.5 Already in the newborn hypochon-
droplastic dog, the perinuclear zone of the disk is histologically abnormal,
and within the first few months of age, the metaplasia becomes visible at
the perinuclear zone by macroscopic pathology.6 At autopsy, Hansen5
observed chondroid metamorphosis in all 1-year-old dogs that had died
from causes other than disk disease; macroscopic changes of chondroid
metamorphosis were seen in the thoracic region in all dogs, while both
the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions were affected in 75% of these
dogs studied at 1 year of age. Thus, the process apparently occurs simul-
taneously throughout the vertebral column. However, the degree of degen-
eration varies and dystrophic calcification arises only in severely
degenerated disks.5 Genetic transmission of chondroid metamorphosis
and disk degeneration has been demonstrated in the beagle previously
assigned to the hypochondroplastic breeds.7,8 The occurrence of disk cal-
cification in the progeny depends significantly on the status of both par-
ents,9 suggesting some genetic transmission of disk calcification. Genetic
transmission is expected to cause variations in the population prevalence
(i.e., between populations and thus between the dachshund varieties). The
significant variation in population prevalence demonstrated between
dachshund varieties10 has further supported the hypothesis of heritability
of severe disk degeneration and disk calcification; however, the specific
From Radiology, pattern of genetic transmission is unknown. Havranek-Balzeretti9 found a
Department of Clinical Studies,
correlation between the occurrence of disk herniation and the occurrence
Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University,
Dyrlaegevej 13, of disk calcification. The results further suggested that the number of cal-
1870 Frederiksberg C, cified disks may be an indicator of the risk of herniation in the individual
Copenhagen, Denmark. dog.9
274 JOURNAL of the American Animal Hospital Association
May/June 2001, Vol. 37
Estimates of heritability of disk calcification tended to be
higher (although not statistically significant) when based on
a disease score given by the number of calcifications as com-
pared to an all-or-none scale,11 supporting the importance of
number of calcified disks in breeding animals.
For several reasons, intervertebral disk calcification is of
particular interest as a potential indicator of the predisposi-
tion toward disk herniation. First, disk calcification has a
genetic predisposition and is related to severe disk degenera-
tion and to the risk of disk herniation.9,10,12,13 Furthermore,
disk calcification can be identified at an early age and is,
therefore, a far more usable measure in breeding stock selec-
tion. Disk herniation is not a suitable measure, since it gener-
ally occurs several years after sexual maturity with a wide
age range.2-4 Havranek-Balzaretti9 and Stigen and Chris-
tensen11 concluded that a careful selection of breeding stock
based on occurrence of intervertebral disk calcification
should lead to a decrease in the frequency of disk herniation
in the subsequent offspring population. Because the degener-
ative process is progressive, the question still remains as to
which age group of dogs should be evaluated for selective
breeding or heritability studies. A lower age limit is of major
interest because breeders generally select dogs for their
breeding program at an early age. An upper age limit may
also be relevant, because disk calcifications may occasion-
ally disappear.9 In the present study, the development of disk
calcification was followed in a group of dachshunds from 6
months of age, with the objective to establish an optimum
age (in particular, a lower age limit) for radiography in eval-
uating the individual dog.
Materials and Methods
The study included 40 dachshunds comprising four litters of
standard wirehaired dachshunds, four litters of shorthaired
standard dachshunds, two litters of miniature/dwarf dachs-
hunds, and one litter of standard longhaired dachshunds.
Group I consisted of 19 dogs radiographed at 6, 9, 12, 18,
and 24 months of age. Group II consisted of 21 dogs radio-
graphed at 12, 18, and 24 months of age. A long-term follow-
up at 3 to 4 years of age was performed on 12 dogs (Group
III) selected from Groups I and II. The dogs in Group III rep-
resented all severities of disk degeneration (as evaluated by
number of calcified disks) at 2 years of age. None of the dogs
had clinical symptoms of spinal disease at the time of the
radiographic examination, and they had not been examined or
treated for spinal disease previously or during the course of
the study.
Radiography
Plain spinal radiographya,b,c was performed with the dogs
placed in right lateral recumbency. At least five lateral projec-
tions of each dog were made, covering the vertebral column
from the second cervical (C2) to the third sacral (S3) vertebrae.
Radiographic Evaluation
The radiographic examinations at 6 to 24 months of age (i.e.,
Groups I and II dogs) included a total of 4,108 intervertebral
Disk Calcification in the Dachshund 275
disk evaluations (i.e., 26 disks per dog; 158 sets of radio-
graphs), and the long-term follow-up study (i.e., Group III
dogs) included another 312 disk evaluations. All radiographic
evaluations were blinded in respect to former and later sets of
radiographs for each dog. The evaluations were performed
with special attention to superimposition of the vertebral
extremities; of transverse, articular, and mammillary
processes; and capiti costae, bronchi, or stomach content.
Every set of radiographs was evaluated independently and
twice by the same radiologist with at least a 2-month interval.
In cases of interpretive differences, the disks in question were
reevaluated after 3 weeks by the same radiologist for a definite
diagnosis. Intervertebral disks were designated as positive
when opacities characteristic of disk calcification were
observed. When an intervertebral disk was not clearly positive
and calcification could not be definitely rejected, it was classi-
fied as suspected (i.e., a borderline case). The spinal locations
of the findings were enumerated according to the position in
the cervical (C2 to first thoracic [T1]), thoracic (T1 to first
lumbar [L1]), and lumbosacral regions (L1 to first sacral [S1]).
Results
Distribution of Positive and Suspected
Intervertebral Disks
In 6- to 24-month-old dogs (i.e., Groups I and II), radio-
graphic opacities were observed in 387 of the 4,108 disk
evaluations. Of these 387 observations, 79% (306/387) were
clearly positive for disk calcification. The remaining 81
opacities were suspected to be disk calcifications; of these,
the majority (64%; 52/81) were confirmed positive for disk
calcification at subsequent or earlier radiographic examina-
tions [Table 1]. Only 26 of the opacities suspected to be cal-
cifications were located in disks that were not confirmed to
be calcified (positive) at another radiographic examination,
corresponding to 6.7% (26/387) of all observed opacities and
0.6% (26/4,108) of the total number of disk evaluations. Fur-
thermore, six of the suspected intervertebral disks (corre-
sponding to 10 observed opacities, as some were observed
more than once) were not reexamined later, and disk calcifi-
cation could therefore neither be rejected nor confirmed; only
4.9% (19/387) of all opacities were found in disks (16 disks)
that were suspected/not confirmed but appeared normal at
later radiographic examinations.
The distribution of positive intervertebral disks at 2 years
of age is shown in Figure 1. At this age, 79.2% of the calci-
fied disks were localized in the thoracic spinal region [T1 to
L1]. The distribution of disks that were suspected at 12
and/or 18 months of age is shown in Figure 2. The disks that
were suspected and later confirmed were distributed
throughout all regions of the vertebral column [Figure 2] but
with a high frequency (80%) in the thoracic region. In con-
trast, the disks suspected but not confirmed were most fre-
quent in the cervical and lumbar region [Figure 2].
Appearance of Disk Calcification
The results for Groups I and II are presented in Table 1.
Based on the data from Group I, Figure 3 shows the number
276 JOURNAL of the American Animal Hospital Association May/June 2001, Vol. 37

Table 1

Radiographic Appearance of Intervertebral Disk Calcifications in 40 Dachshunds

Age (mos)
Radiological Findings
of Disk Calcifications Group of Dogs 6 9 12 18 24

Suspected I 0 2 4* 5* 3*
(not confirmed positive) II - - 5* 6* 4*

Suspected I 4 9 9 11 2
(confirmed positive)† II - - 8 7‡ 2‡§

Positive (former suspected) I 0 4 7 7 10

II - - 0\ 4 8

Positive (reconfirmed) I 0 1 15 31 52
II - - 0\ 28 46

New positive I 1 12 9 14 7
(not former suspected) II - - 31\ 14 7

Normal radiographically, I+II 0 0 0 1 2

(former positive)

The numbers designate the total number of observations (i.e., positive or suspected disks in Group I [19 dachshunds] and Group II
[21 dachshunds]).
* Two disks within each group (seven total disks) were suspected repeatedly (i.e., at two to three examinations).
† The calcification within these disks was confirmed to be calcified on later images, except for two disks, which were positive on
earlier images.
‡ One disk was positive at an earlier age and suspected at 18 and 24 months of age; the opacity was subtle on all images,
but the projection varied slightly.
§ The opacity in one disk was considerably reduced compared to earlier images (positive at 18 months).
\ The positive disks cannot be grouped into the different categories at the first examination.

Figure 1—Distribution of calcified intervertebral disks, as
identified on radiography, at 24 months of age in 40
dachshunds.
* Positive=opacity with a density and structure characteristic
of disk calcification; Suspected=disk suspected to be calci-
fied due to insignificant opacities in the disk space.
† C2-C3=intervertebral disk between second and third
cervical vertebrae; C4-C5=intervertebral disk between
fourth and fifth cervical vertebrae; etc.
Figure 2—Distribution of intervertebral disks suspected of
calcification based on radiographic findings at 12 or 18
months in 40 dachshunds. Disks suspected at both 12 and
18 months of age are counted twice.
* Confirmed positive=suspected to be calcified, disk calcifica-
tion verified radiographically at another age; not confirmed
positive=suspected to be calcified, not evidently calcified at
any radiographic examination.
† C -C =intervertebral disk between second and third cervical
2 3
vertebrae; C4-C5=intervertebral disk between fourth and fifth
cervical vertebrae; etc.
May/June 2001, Vol. 37
Figure 3—Occurrence of intervertebral disk calcification
(i.e., total number of intervertebral disks positive or sus-
pected of calcification) as a function of age in 19 dachs-
hunds followed from 6 to 24 months of age.
* Positive or suspected of disk calcification as identified on
radiography. New positive: clearly calcified, no signs of
calcification visible on earlier radiographs. The tendency
lines drawn are second-degree polynomials.
of affected disks as a function of age. The first signs of inter-
vertebral disk calcification became visible at 6 months of
age, with only one positive disk. The total number of obser-
vations (i.e., suspected and positive disks) showed a large
increase from 6 to 18 months of age, while only a small
increase was seen at 18 to 24 months of age [Table 1; Figure
3]. A large increase in the number of positive disks was
demonstrated at 9, 12, 18, and 24 months of age. The
increase in number of positive disks from 18 to 24 months of
age was mainly due to confirmation of calcification in disks
that were suspected at 18 months of age. The number of
newly affected disks, including suspected and new positive,
decreased after 18 months of age. It is not known how many
of the suspected disks became positive after 24 months of
age, as only 12 of the dogs (Group III) were examined later.
Therefore, those disks suspected (confirmed) and those sus-
pected (not confirmed) were included in the same graph
[Figure 3].
The prevalence of disk calcification was determined
based on the status of the individual dog according to an all-
or-none scale (i.e., the prevalence of dogs with one or more
positive disks). The prevalence increased with age, particu-
larly at 6 to 18 months of age [Figure 4]. From 18 to 24
months of age, the prevalence increased from 70% to 80%,
corresponding to four new cases. These four cases included
two dogs that were suspected of disk calcification at 18
months of age [Figure 4].
The first appearance of calcified disks in the individual
dog occurred at different age levels, and a comparison was
done with the number of calcified disks in the individual dog
at 2 years of age [Figure 5]. Dogs with late-appearing disk
calcification (i.e., at 12 to 24 months) had a low number (i.e.,
Disk Calcification in the Dachshund 277
Figure 4—Prevalence of dogs affected by intervertebral disk
calcification, as identified on radiography, as a function of
age in 19 dogs followed from 6 to 24 months of age and in
21 dogs followed from 12 to 24 months of age.
* Affected: ≥1 positive calcified disks. Under suspicion: ≥1
disk under suspicion of calcification and no calcification
clearly visible. Not affected: no visible signs of disk calcifi-
cation.
≤3) of calcified disks at 24 months of age. However, dogs
affected at a young age (i.e., at 6 to 9 months) had a wide
range in number of calcifications at 2 years of age.
Incidence Rates
The incidence rates ±standard deviation (SD) for interverte-
bral disk calcification were calculated relative to the number
of dogs at risk (i.e., number of dogs evaluated radiographi-
cally) for each 6-month interval between radiographic evalu-
ations [Figure 6]. These incidence rates were based on the
first appearance of suspected (i.e., later confirmed) or posi-
tive (i.e., new positive) intervertebral disks. With respect to
dogs not examined after 2 years of age (i.e., 28 dogs from
Groups I and II), all disks suspected to be calcified at 2 years
of age are included in the incidence rate, as these disks were
not examined later.
Five intervertebral disks were repeatedly suspected to be
calcified but were never confirmed positive. Reexamination
of these five disks revealed that the opacities causing the sus-
picion did not appear to change with age. These latter find-
ings were not included when calculating the incidence rates.
The occurrence of disk calcifications before 6 months of
age for dogs in Group II is unknown. Approximately 11% of
the intervertebral disk calcifications visible at 12 months of
age for dogs in Group II would have been visible at 6
months, as estimated from the incidence rate defined for
Group I (i.e., four suspected, one positive at 6 months of
age). This corresponds to a 5% error on the calculated inci-
dence rate at 6 to 12 months of age, as shown in Figure 6.
The incidence rate was high in the evaluated dogs
(Groups I and II) at the 12 to 18 months interval (1.0±SD 1.5
per 6 months) and the 6 to 12 months interval in particular
278 JOURNAL of the American Animal Hospital Association
Figure 5—Relation between age at first appearance of calci-
fication and number of calcified disks at 24 months of age, in
19 dachshunds followed from 6 to 24 months of age. Each
triangle (▲) represents one dog.
Figure 6—Incidence rate of intervertebral disk calcification
identified radiographically in 40 dachshunds at different age
levels.
* Incidence rate=mean number of “new observations” per
dog within a 6-month period. “New observations” are
defined as disks suspected or positive for calcification, with
no visible signs of calcification on any former radiographs.
† At 6 to 12 months and 12 to 18 months, disks suspected
(not confirmed positive) are not included. In Group II (21
dogs) all calcifications observed at 12 months of age were
included in the calculation of the incidence rate at 6 to 12
months of age, as the findings in Group I dogs suggest
that the incidence before 6 months of age is negligible.
‡ SD=standard deviation
(2.0±SD 2.8 per 6 months). Furthermore, the large standard
deviations indicate large individual variation (up to 11 new
calcifications in one individual). A low incidence rate and
small individual variations (0.4±SD 0.72) were seen at the
18 to 24 months interval (Groups I and II).
After 2 years of age (Group III), the mean incidence
rate±SD was 0.03±0.14 per 6 months (calculated as total
incidences relative to the sum of observation periods). Reex-
amination at 3 to 4 years of age revealed only one suspected
May/June 2001, Vol. 37
disk which had been radiographically normal at 2 years of
age [Table 2]. Furthermore, two additional positive disks
were found, but both had been suspected at 2 years of age
and thus were not included in the calculation of incidence
rate [Table 2]. Additional positive or suspected disks
appeared only in dogs with more than two calcified disks at
2 years of age.
Dissolution of Intervertebral Disk Calcification
At 12 to 24 months of age, complete dissolution of the disk
calcification occurred in three disks, and partial dissolution
occurred in one disk, corresponding to an incidence rate of
0.05 per disk-year-at risk. This phenomenon did not occur in
any dog at 6 to 12 months of age. At the examinations at 3 to
4 years of age (Group III), four of the intervertebral disk cal-
cifications identified at 2 years of age had disappeared radio-
graphically [Table 2]. Furthermore, two intervertebral disk
calcifications were clearly reduced, one in relation to a her-
niation and the other now classified as suspected. Therefore,
after 2 years of age, partial or complete dissolution of disk
calcification without collapse of the intervertebral space was
observed in six disks, corresponding to an incidence rate of
0.085 per disk-year-at risk (i.e., relative to the sum of obser-
vation periods for each calcified disk). Apparently the inci-
dence rate of dissolution tended to increase with age from 12
months of age, but due to the low number of cases, this was
not statistically analyzed. Out of 10 disks with dissolution of
disk calcification, nine disks were located in the thoracic
region between T1 and the ninth thoracic [T9] vertebrae. The
dissolution of calcified disk material in the thoracic region
could not be associated with anamnestic, clinical, or radio-
graphic signs of intervertebral disk herniation (e.g., collapse
of intervertebral space, extruded calcified material, or sec-
ondary changes). In one dog, opacities with densities corre-
sponding to the calcified disk material were seen dorsal to
the disk at the fourth to fifth lumbar [L4 to L5] intervertebral
space, indicating that the disk had herniated; this was sup-
ported by the presence of intermittent pain (evidenced by a
reluctance to climb stairs) as observed by the owner.
Discussion
As an intervertebral disk begins to calcify, the initial radio-
graphic signs will be subtle because of the low degree of cal-
cification. Consequently, borderline cases (i.e., suspected
disks) regarding a definite radiological diagnosis will
inevitably occur. Most of these borderline cases were con-
firmed positive (i.e., calcified) on later radiographs [Table 1].
Out of the disks that were suspected at 6 to 24 months of
age, 44 disks were positive on earlier or later radiographs
(positive, former suspected or suspected, former positive),
while 20 disks were suspected but never confirmed positive.
Because positioning of the dog is extremely important in
radiographic evaluation of intervertebral disks,14 additional
radiographs were taken in this study until positioning was
satisfactory. On lateral views, calcification of the disk gener-
ally causes characteristic opacities in the region of the peri-
nuclear and nuclear zones, with or without calcification of
May/June 2001, Vol. 37 Disk Calcification in the Dachshund 279

Table 2

Radiographic Long-Term Follow-Up on Disk Calcifications in 12 Dachshunds

Reexamined Radiographically at 3 to 4 Years of Age

Radiological Findings
of Disk Calcifications* Age of Individual Dog at Follow-up (mos)

42 40 41 48 42 39 37 48 36 42 42 39

Suspected, 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
- new 0 0 1 0
- former suspected 0 1 0 1
- former positive 1 0 0 0

Normal (negative),
former positive 1 3

Positive, 0
- former suspected 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1†
- reconfirmed 1 1 1 3 2 3 4 5 5 8‡ 10

* Findings in the follow-up study presented with comparison to the findings at 2 years of age. Changes in individual disks are
presented in bold type.
† Subtle calcification at the seventh lumbar to first sacral vertebrae (L -S ) (i.e., superimposed the iliac bone), also recognized at
7 1
reevaluation of radiographs from 2 years of age.
‡ Including a disk herniation at the fourth lumbar to fifth lumbar vertebrae (L -L ) with decreased density and blurring of the
4 5
calcification.

the central nucleus. Properly positioned lateral radiographs
were given priority over ventrodorsal views (which were not
performed), as the lateral views are generally much more
informative with respect to evaluation of the intervertebral
disk. Ventrodorsal views would have yielded more definitive
diagnoses in some cases, at least in the cervical region. How-
ever, properly positioned ventrodorsal views are difficult to
obtain in the thoracic region (with spinal processes, the
heart, and other mediastinal structures being superimposed
on the disks), and in the thoracolumbar region, gastrointesti-
nal content is often superimposed on the intervertebral
space. Consequently, even with both lateral and ventrodorsal
views, borderline cases probably would still occur.
The distribution of the disks suspected (later confirmed)
corresponds to the distribution of positive disks; both had
approximately 80% of the observed opacities localized in the
thoracic region [Figures 1, 2]. In contrast, the majority of the
disks suspected (not confirmed) were localized outside the
thoracic region [Figure 2]. This distribution probably reflects
the difficulty in a few cases in definitely rejecting the pres-
ence of intervertebral disk calcification in these regions (in
Groups I and II, there was a total of 27 suspected disks out
of 2,142 cervical or lumbar disk evaluations). In particular,
the disks between C2 to the second thoracic [T2] vertebrae,
as well as the 13th thoracic [T13] to L1 and sixth lumbar [L6]
to S1 vertebrae, seem to cause problems because of the
superimposition of the transverse, mamillary, and articular
vertebral processes and iliac bones. In these regions it may
be impossible to differentiate between opacities caused by
subtle calcification and structures outside the disk on the lat-
eral view alone (in spite of awareness of these structures).
Assuming that all these observations (suspected, not con-
firmed) were a result of superimposition or artifacts rather
than transient calcification, 6.7% of observed opacities (sus-
pected or positive) at 6 to 18 months would be “false posi-
tive.” This suggests an overall high specificity in the diag-
noses, in spite of the diagnostic difficulties mentioned.
The prevalence of intervertebral disk calcification in the
dachshund population may differ significantly from the pro-
portion of affected dogs in the present study, as the sample
consists of 12 litters and not a randomized sample. The sam-
ple was selected to show the spectrum of potential fluctua-
tion in the number of disk calcifications in relation to age.
The sample (Groups I and II) represents the four most com-
mon varieties of dachshunds, and the variation in the number
of disk calcifications (zero to 12 calcifications) represents
individual differences in the severity of intervertebral disk
degeneration. The age-dependent variations in the incidence
rate and prevalence may depend on the severity of the degen-
erative process within the individual dogs in the sample (or
280 JOURNAL of the American Animal Hospital Association
population). Thus, the age-dependent variations in incidence
and prevalence may vary between different samples and
between dachshund populations.
The incidence rate of calcified intervertebral disks was
high at 6 to 18 months of age, with large increases seen in
the individual dog; up to 11 new calcifications (i.e., four sus-
pected [later confirmed]; seven new positive) appeared per 6
months interval in the individual dog. The incidence rate of
intervertebral disk calcification decreased with age after 18
months of age, and only small individual changes were seen
in the number of calcified disks from 18 to 24 months of age
[Figure 6]. The number of recently appearing calcifications
(i.e., new positive and new suspected [later confirmed])
seemed to reach a maximum around 15 months of age [Table
1; Figure 3]. As the calcification becomes denser, the cer-
tainty of the diagnosis increases (i.e., former suspected disks
become clearly positive). Many disks were suspected at 18
months and confirmed positive at 24 months of age. To avoid
large variations within the individual and between individu-
als after radiographic evaluation, the dachshunds should be
at least 2 years old for radiographic examination and evalua-
tion for selective breeding.
Two aspects contribute to the relatively low number of
suspected disks at 2 years of age [Table 1]. First, the calcify-
ing disks become much more distinct with increasing age
(i.e., disks suspected at 18 months were now positive). Sec-
ondly, the incidence rate of disk calcification (new positive or
new suspected) is low at 18 to 24 months [Table 1; Figure 3]
and declines further thereafter. These results suggest that the
number of calcified disks approaches a maximum at about 24
months of age. Furthermore, the lesser number of new posi-
tive disks indicates a decreasing rate of development of disk
calcification. The number of intervertebral disks suspected
(not confirmed) at 24 months of age equaled the number of
disks suspected (not confirmed) at 12 and 18 months of age
[Table 1], suggesting that these opacities may be due to (a
steady incidence rate of) artifacts. Four of the seven suspected
(not confirmed) disks were suspected repeatedly, suggesting
that these opacities may be due to superimposition of specific
variants of the anatomical structures in the individual dog.
Thus, few of the disks suspected (not confirmed) at 24
months of age are likely to become positive on a later date.
Extrapolation of the curves indicates that a maximum of
positive disks may be reached between 24 and 27 months of
age [Figure 3]. This hypothesis was further supported by the
long-term follow-up study on 12 dogs. In this group, only
two new positive disks were identified, both of which had
been suspected at 2 years of age. Actually, the total number
of positive disks decreased after 2 years of age, as six for-
mer distinct and dense calcifications were no longer visible
or had become clearly less distinct and less radiodense.
The prevalence of dogs affected increased dramatically
from 6 to 18 months of age. The increase in prevalence then
diminished toward 2 years of age, suggesting that the preva-
lence had peaked [Figure 4]. After 2 years of age, changes in
the number of positive disks were only seen in dogs that had
more than two calcified disks, and the changes were most
May/June 2001, Vol. 37
pronounced in more severely affected dogs (having four or
more calcified intervertebral disks), supporting the hypothe-
sis that the number of affected dogs is steady from 2 years of
age [Table 2].
An important question for the veterinary clinician is
whether the late appearance of calcified disks is a sign of a
delayed process in the individual dog (i.e., more calcified
disks should be expected), limiting the value of early radiog-
raphy. The long-term follow-up study (in Group III dogs)
indicates that this is not the case, as the number of calcifica-
tions was constant after 2 years of age in all dogs with less
than two calcified disks. On the other hand, changes (i.e.,
dissolution or new calcifications) were seen in all dogs with
four or more calcified disks, indicating that the degenerative
process is somehow more “active” in this group of dogs.
The rate of development of disk calcification clearly var-
ied between disks, some being evidently positive at 9
months, whereas in other disks, the first signs of calcifica-
tions appeared as late as 2 years of age [Table 1]. In theory,
an early appearance of disk calcification could be a sign of a
fast progression of the degeneration process and, therefore, a
measure of the severity of degeneration. However, within the
group of dogs with early appearance of disk calcification
(i.e., at 6 to 9 months of age), the number of calcified disks
at 2 years of age varied widely [Figure 5], indicating that the
prognostic value (for the severity and number of calcified
disks) of the findings at 6 to 12 months is particularly low.
At present, the significance of the rate of development of
disk calcification in the young dog is not known. A long-
term prospective study including the occurrence of clinical
disk herniation may clarify the significance.
Stigen15 found that the prevalence of intervertebral disk
calcification in the dachshund increases after 14 months of
age and that the relative risk of disk calcification was 1.9 in
the older dog (4.9 to 13.2 years) when compared to their 12-
to 18-month-old (mean, 14-month-old) progeny. However,
the study by Stigen15 did not determine the age at which this
relative increase may occur. In the present study, the linear
extrapolation gives a prevalence of 58% at 14 months of age,
and the relative risk at 24 months was 1.4 (prevalence, 0.80;
relative risk, 0.80/0.58). These findings indicate that the
majority of the increase in prevalence demonstrated by Sti-
gen15 likely occurred before 2 years of age.
A prospective study on intervertebral disk calcification in
young dachshunds was reported by Havranek-Balzaretti;9 in
11 dachshunds, radiographed at 1 year of age, no new calcifi-
cations were visible at reexamination after 1 to 4 years later,
indicating that the number of calcified intervertebral disks
remained steady from 1 year of age. In contrast, a mean
increase from 1.5 calcified intervertebral disk per dog at 1
year of age to 3.2 calcified disks per dog at 2 years of age was
found in the present study [Table 1]. However, the number of
affected disks remained constant from 1 year of age in 13 of
the 40 dogs in this study; these dogs were generally less
affected (mean, 1.4 calcified disk at 2 years) when compared
to the rest of the sample. Possible reasons for Havranek-
Balzaretti’s findings9 include a low sample size decreasing the
May/June 2001, Vol. 37
interpretive power of the study or skewed results due to the
inadvertent selection of less affected dachshunds.
The differences between these studies suggest that the
minimum age at radiographic examination most useful in
breeding stock selection may vary between populations (i.e.,
lower minimum age in less affected populations). Even so, in
the present study, even the severely affected dogs seemed to
reach a maximum in number of calcified intervertebral disks
at about 2 years of age.
In 62% of dogs aged 3 to 7 years and in 16% of the dogs
aged 1 to 2.5 years, Havranek-Balzeretti9 observed the dissolu-
tion of disk calcification at subsequent examinations done
when the dogs were 4 years or older. Thus, dissolution of disk
calcifications is a common phenomenon in dogs older than 3
years of age. Havranek-Balzeretti9 observed clinical signs of
disk herniation in the majority (16/19) of these dogs, suggest-
ing a phagocytic resorption of the intervertebral disk calcifica-
tions. Demineralization of herniated material has been ascribed
to phagocytic activity of the related inflammatory process.5,6
The present study demonstrated that dissolution of inter-
vertebral disk calcification in the thoracic region is rather
common in the young dachshund without clinical signs of
disk herniation. In theory, the occurrence of this phenome-
non may have been underestimated in this study, as calcifica-
tions may have arisen and been dissolved within the time
interval between examinations. This is particularly relevant
for the period after 2 years of age, when the interval between
the radiographic examinations is more than 1 year. However,
the authors do not believe this would have impacted this
study’s findings, as disappearance of disk calcification was
only observed among the most prominently calcified disks
that were among the first calcified disks to appear in any
affected individual dog. This study suggests that the inci-
dence rate of complete or partial dissolution of disk calcifi-
cation increases with age. However, the data is insufficient
for a statistical confirmation of this increase. At reexamina-
tion at 3 to 4 years of age, approximately 13% (6/48) of the
disk calcifications visible at 2 years of age in this study had
disappeared or, in some cases, clearly reduced.
In dogs, herniations may be “silent” (i.e., asymptomatic)
even when intermittent pain occurs, as this may not be
noticed by the owner. Whether the asymptomatic dissolution
of disk calcification without collapse of the intervertebral
space reflects early “silent” herniations with phagocytosis or
possibly a confined dissolution of the calcification within the
nuclear area is not known. In this study, all asymptomatic
cases (nine cases) of dissolution of calcified disk material
occurred in the thoracic region between T1 and T9, which
may support the “silent herniation” theory, as the spinal cord
is protected from dorsal herniation by the costal intercapital
ligament in this region.5,16
The incidence of clinical herniations increases from 2
years of age as well, with 10% to 20% of the cases found in
the 2- and 3-year-old dogs and 50% to 60% of the hernia-
tions found in 4- to 6-year-old dogs.2-4 Resorption of calcifi-
cations after herniation (“silent” herniations in particular)
and asymptomatic dissolution of disk calcifications may
Disk Calcification in the Dachshund 281
actually lead to a milder rating of dogs, which has implica-
tions for breeding programs and estimation of heritability.
Conclusion
A major increase in prevalence of dachshunds affected by
intervertebral disk calcification is seen from 6 months to 18
months of age. A relatively low prevalence rate was seen at
18 to 24 months and, after 2 years of age, changes in the
number of calcified disks were only seen in dogs with sev-
eral calcified disks, suggesting that a peak prevalence is
reached at about 2 years of age.
The incidence rate of calcified intervertebral disks also
decreased with increasing age. The incidence rate was high
at 6 to 18 months of age, while only small individual
changes in number of affected disks (0.46±SD 0.72 disk per
dog) were seen at 18 to 24 months of age. These results indi-
cate that dachshunds to be used as breeding stock should be
at least 2 years old for radiographic evaluation for the pres-
ence of calcified intervertebral disks, because a large propor-
tion of the calcifications are still too subtle for a definite
diagnosis of disk calcification at 18 months of age. Calcifi-
cations may become visible after 2 years of age, in particular
in moderate to severely affected dogs; however, even the
most severely affected dogs reached a peak in their number
of calcified intervertebral disks at about 2 years of age.
The results suggest that a peak in the number of calcified
disks is reached at 24 to 27 months, and the total number of
calcified disks may decrease after this age. Disappearance of
previously identified disk calcifications may be a result of
disk herniation, but in the present study it was demonstrated
that, in the young dachshunds, the calcifications may disap-
pear without any clinical symptoms being observed. Asymp-
tomatic disappearance of disk calcification seemed to occur
commonly with increasing incidence rates from 1 to 1.5
years of age. From 2 to 3 years of age, the number of calci-
fied intervertebral disks may be further reduced because of
an increasing incidence of disk herniation, inflammatory
mediated resorption, or dissolution.
The rate of development of the disk calcification clearly
varied between disks, and the prognostic value of the find-
ings at 6 to 12 months is low. The significance of this varia-
tion is not known and needs further investigation. The
age-dependent variation in occurrence of disk calcification
should also be considered in breeding programs, heritability
studies, or if prophylactic therapy (i.e., fenestration17) is per-
formed in the young dog.
a Polydores XL50 x-ray machine with Bucky-movable grid; Siemens A/S,
Copenhagen, Denmark
b Trimax T16 intensifying screens; 3M, Ferrania, Italy
c Fuji Super HR-L30 x-ray film; Fuji Photo Film Co. LTD, Tokyo, Japan
Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully thank Professor Eiliv Svalistoga,
DVM, PhD (Small Animal Surgery and Radiology); Asso-
ciate Professor Knud A. Christensen, PhD (Department of
282 JOURNAL of the American Animal Hospital Association
Genetics and Breeding); and Geoffrey Houser, DVM (Small
Animal Hospital), for editorial assistance.
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