The Relationship Between Radiographic Disc Calcification Score and FGF4L2 Genotype in Dachshunds

Overview

Journal J Vet Intern Med

Specialties General Medicine
Veterinary Medicine

Date 2024 Dec 23

PMID 39715441

Authors

Stacey Sullivan

David Redden

Froydis Hardeng

Malin Sundqvist

Michelle Kutzler

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: The relationship between radiographic disc calcification score and FGF4L2 genotype has been reported in only a small number of dachshunds.

Hypothesis: A genotype with either 0 or 1 FGF4L2 copy will be associated with a lower number of calcified discs (lower K-n) compared with a genotype with 2 FGF4L2 copies.

Animals: Dachshunds registered with the Norwegian or Finnish Kennel Clubs for which both K-n and FGF4L2 genotype are known (n = 407).

Methods: Retrospective study (2012-2024). The frequency and percentage of dachshunds within each K-n group (K0, K1/2, K3/4, K5+) by FGF4L2 genotype (FGF4L2/FGF4L2, N/FGF4L2, N/N) were reported. The K-n distribution differences among genotypes were analyzed by the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test in SAS 9.4. Significance was defined as P < .05.

Results: A difference in K-n distribution was found between dachshunds that have 0 or 2 FGF4L2 copies. However, no difference was found in the K-n distribution between dachshunds that have 1 or 2 FGF4L2 copies.

Conclusions And Clinical Importance: Most dachshunds with 1 FGF4L2 copy have radiographic disc calcification scores that are associated with substantially lower risk of symptomatic disc disease. Radiographic disc calcification scores are similar in dachshunds with 0 and 1 FGF4L2 copies. Given the high allele frequency of FGF4L2, breeding to produce progeny with 1 FGF4L2 copy is expected to be a more achievable short-term goal for dachshund spinal health breeding programs than breeding for 0 copies. It is recommended that both K-n and FGF4L2 genotype status be considered when choosing dachshund breeding stock.

Citing Articles

Erratum for "The relationship between radiographic disc calcification score and FGF4L2 genotype in dachshunds".

J Vet Intern Med. 2025; 39(2):e70061.

PMID: 40079733 PMC: 11905396. DOI: 10.1111/jvim.70061.

Case report: FGF4L1 retrogene insertion is lacking in the tall dachshund phenotype.

Sullivan S, Szeremeta K, Kutzler M Front Vet Sci. 2025; 11():1522745.

PMID: 39830166 PMC: 11739356. DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1522745.

The relationship between radiographic disc calcification score and FGF4L2 genotype in dachshunds.

Sullivan S, Redden D, Hardeng F, Sundqvist M, Kutzler M J Vet Intern Med. 2024; 39(1):e17281.

PMID: 39715441 PMC: 11665960. DOI: 10.1111/jvim.17281.

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