Hemivertebra in dogs

Species: Dog
Condition: Hemivertebra
Organ System: Nervous/sensory

Hemivertebra is a condition in which the bones around your dog’s spine develop in an inappropriate shape. These bones should be semi-circular when viewed from the side. In dogs with hemivertebra, the bones are shaped more like a triangle. This disorder will only cause practical problems if it causes compression of the nerves within the spine. In this case symptoms are likely to include back pain, weakness and/or inability to get up or walk. Your vet will take an Xray and if this confirms hemivertebra, they are likely to recommend surgery. Your dog will still be able to enjoy a good quality of life but should not be used for breeding.

Breeds exposed to Hemivertebra – Research Reference
Basset Hound Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Alsatian Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Golden Retriever Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Great Pyrenean Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
“English Setter Cross – (LaFond
Irish Water Spaniel Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
“Bouvier Des Flandres Cross – (LaFond
“Gordon Setter Cross – (Schulz 2002
Chow Chow Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Rhodesian Ridgeback Cross – (Robins & Innes 2006)
Rottweiler Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Newfoundland Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
“Pomeranian Cross – (LaFond
Neopolitan Mastiff Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
“Wolfhound Cross – (LaFond
“St Bernard Cross – (LaFond
Mastiff Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Swiss Mountain Dog Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Flat Coated Retriever Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
American Bulldog Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
“Irish Wolfhound Cross – (LaFond
German Shepherd Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Weimaraner Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
American Bulldog – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Basset Hound – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Bernese Mountain Dog – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Bloodhound – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Bullmastiff – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Chow Chow – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Dachshund – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Flat Coated Retriever – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
German Shepherd – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Golden Retriever – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Great Dane – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Great Pyrenean – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Irish Water Spaniel – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Rottweiler – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Komondor – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Swiss Mountain Dog – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Mastiff – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Neopolitan Mastiff – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Newfoundland – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Pharaoh Hound – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Weimaraner – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Alsatian – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Golden Doodle (Groodle) – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Labradoodle – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Labrador Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Bullmastiff Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Bloodhound Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Dachshund Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Boerboel Cross – (Kirberger & Stander 2007)
Great Dane Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Labrador Retriever Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Pharaoh Hound Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Bernese Mountain Dog Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Labrador – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Labrador Retriever – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Boerboel – (Kirberger & Stander 2007)
“Bouvier Des Flandres – (LaFond
“English Setter – (LaFond
“Irish Wolfhound – (LaFond
“Pomeranian – (LaFond
“St Bernard – (LaFond
“Wolfhound – (LaFond
Rhodesian Ridgeback – (Robins & Innes 2006)
“Gordon Setter – (Schulz 2002
Komondor Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)
Labradoodle Cross – Canine Inherited Disorders Database (CIDD)

Disease Author
Dr Merliza Cabriles, Professor of Veterinary Medicine

To learn more about Hemivertebra or any other condition we invite you to search this website. Even better, pick up the phone and call your vet. Your vet knows your pet better than anyone else and is a fountain of information.