Association between the morphology of certain bones in the hind limbs and the variation in the morphology of the sacrum in greyhounds

Abstract

Objective: To identify associations between the occurrence of sacrocaudal fusion and the potential morphology of certain hind limb bones in actively racing greyhounds. Methods: The calcaneus, talus and patella from each hind limb were collected from 94 male and 77 female mature greyhound cadavers and grouped into four groups; right or left bones from greyhounds with a standard or fused sacrum. The measurements were recorded for the following parameters: body mass of the greyhound, mass, length, and width of the right and left calcanei, tali and patellae. Results: A fused sacrum (4 sacral vertebrae) was present in 41% of specimens. The right and left calcanei, tali and patellae in greyhounds ..