Table 2.
Clinical characteristics of sampled dogs.
| Variable | Category | German shepherd N = 41 | Belgian Malinois N = 18 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average age (years, SD) | 3.68 ± 1.78 | 4 ± 1.94 | |
| Age range (years) | 1–6 | 1–6 | |
| Average weight (kg, SD) | 32.84 ± 4.42 | 30.58 ± 5.48 | |
| Weight range (kg) | 24.95–44.0 | 20.41–41.28 | |
| Number of dogs in each weight classa | Lower | 21 | 12 |
| Upper | 20 | 6 | |
| Sex | Male | 32 | 10 |
| Female | 9 | 8 | |
| Reasons for CT scanning | Neurologic deficits | 15 | 2 |
| Lumbosacral pain | 15 | 5 | |
| Vertebral pain (other than lumbosacral) | 1 | 0 | |
| Problems with hindlimbs | 22 | 6 | |
| Inability/reluctance to perform certain actions | 3 | 2 | |
| Possible lumbosacral disease | 4 | 1 | |
| Diagnosed with vertebral disease | 6 | 1 | |
| Unspecified lameness | 3 | 2 | |
| Research study | 4 | 0 | |
| Other | 4 | 3 | |
| Reason not specified | 1 | 1 |
a
Weight class defined as lower if ≤ 32.884 kg and upper if >32.884 kg. “Other reasons” included dogs that were scanned for reasons unrelated to musculoskeletal or neurological issues of the lumbosacral region or hindlimbs. Twenty dogs had more than one reason for scan listed.