Question

What is LTV...explain function is it a disease

Answer 1

This dog has LTV3, an asymmetric LTV. On its right side the vertebra has a transverse process and thus resembles a lumbar vertebra (blue arrow). On its left the vertebra holds some resemblance to a sacral vertebra (orange arrow).

LTV is a congenital disease. LTV are manifested as one or at times several vertebrae with an abnormal identity between the last normal lumbar and the first normal sacral vertebra.

In Finland the disease is graded from 0 to 4. The affected vertebrae may be symmetrically or asymmetrically transformed and in extreme cases the dog may have an abnormal number of lumbar vertebrae (i.e. six or eight instead of the normal seven).

LTV are a frequent cause for disabling diseases such as cauda equine syndrome.

The genetic background of LTV has not been studied in to any greater extent.

In our study we aim to identify the risk loci and gene variant(s) which contribute to LTV.