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Morphometric Analysis as a Diagnostic Tool for Veterinary Diseases in...
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Morphometric Analysis as a Diagnostic Tool for Veterinary Diseases in Dogs and Cats: Recent Progress and Application Prospect

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Clinical Studies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 1195

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mara Bagardi

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Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Via dell’ Università n. 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
Interests: diagnostic aspects (echocardiography, electrocardiogram, and Holter monitoring) and therapeutic man-agement of acquired and congenital heart diseases in dogs and cats; early diagnostic and therapeutic ap-proach to mitral disease in the Cavalier King Charles spaniel; arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, manage-ment of congestive heart failure; feline cardiomyopathies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Paola G. Brambilla

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, 26900 Lodi, Italy
Interests: clinical epidemiology of congenital heart diseases in dogs; myxomatous mitral valve disease in Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (clinical, genetic, and novel cardiac biomarkers)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Chiara Locatelli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Via dell’Università n. 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
Interests: diagnostic aspects (echocardiography, electrocardiogram, and Holter monitoring) and therapeutic management of acquired and congenital heart diseases in dogs and cats; management of congestive heart failure; feline cardiomyopathies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Michele Polli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Milan, Via dell’Università n. 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
Interests: identification of candidate genes for inherited diseases in dogs; analysis and conservation of genetic diversity of different animal populations; genetic control of inherited disease to safeguard the health and welfare of pet animals; analysis of molecular markers for studies of associations with morphological characteristics and inherited pathologies in dogs

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, efforts have been made to reduce extreme breeding and enrich the genetic pools of canine and feline breeds. However, recent studies indicate that breeds with more inherited disorders and extreme body morphologies have become more popular, suggesting that health considerations are of secondary importance in people’s decision to acquire a specific breed. The owner, and unfortunately the breeders, are interested in the search for extreme characteristics, beauty, or physical aptitude, often not considering the possible development of pathologies related to these characteristics, which carry with them a pool of harmful genes. For this reason, to promote rational breeding and purchasing, efforts will be focused on evaluating morphometry and its relationship with disease development.

This Special Issue, “Morphometric Analysis as a Diagnostic Tool for Veterinary Diseases in Dogs and Cats: Recent Progress and Application Prospect”, will focus on the morphologic appearances of dogs and cats and these appearances’ relationship with the predisposition to and development of respiratory, ophthalmic, skeletal, obstetrical, neurological, metabolic, and cardiac disorders. Our goal is to show that morphologic evaluation should be a valuable marker to consider in breeding programs and veterinary management to redefine the standards of many dog breeds. We request original research articles and reviews. Articles on owned or bred dogs and cats are welcome, as are articles on the increasing number of health problems in the most popular breeds.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Mara Bagardi
Prof. Dr. Paola G. Brambilla
Prof. Dr. Chiara Locatelli
Prof. Dr. Michele Polli
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • body hyper-typicality
  • breeding
  • cat
  • dog
  • genetic disorders
  • morphometry
  • physical aptitude
  • popularity
  • volatility

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 8549 KiB  
Article
Complex Body Wall Closure Defects in Seven Dog Fetuses: An Anatomic and CT Scan Study
by Nieves Martín-Alguacil, José M. Cozar and Luis Avedillo
Animals 2025, 15(14), 2030; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15142030 - 10 Jul 2025
Viewed by 254
Abstract
Body stalk anomaly (BSA) is a rare and usually fatal congenital disorder involving severe malformations of the body wall, limbs, spine, and internal organs. This study presents the first documented cases of BSA in seven dogs, offering new insights into how the disorder [...] Read more.
Body stalk anomaly (BSA) is a rare and usually fatal congenital disorder involving severe malformations of the body wall, limbs, spine, and internal organs. This study presents the first documented cases of BSA in seven dogs, offering new insights into how the disorder manifests in animals. The affected fetuses consistently exhibited major anomalies, including large abdominal wall defects, structural spinal abnormalities, and a variety of limb malformations ranging from partial agenesis and meromelia to phocomelia and complete amelia. Structural urogenital anomalies and orofacial clefts were also observed, aligning with similar findings in BSA cases reported in pigs and cats. These findings support the hypothesis of a multifactorial etiology involving early embryonic disruptions, such as abnormal folding of the embryo, rupture of the amniotic membrane, and vascular compromise. The frequent occurrence of abdominal wall defects alongside umbilical cord abnormalities further suggests a shared developmental pathway. This study also highlights the value of veterinary cases in comparative embryology and the need to assess congenital anomalies as part of a broader malformation complex. By expanding the phenotypic spectrum of BSA in domestic animals, this work contributes to a deeper understanding of its pathogenesis and emphasizes the importance of further research into the genetic and environmental factors involved. Such efforts could lead to improved classification and diagnosis of complex congenital malformations, as well as facilitate cross-species comparisons. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Morphometric Analysis as a Diagnostic Tool for Veterinary Diseases in Dogs and Cats: Recent Progress and Application Prospect)
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Review

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22 pages, 2181 KiB  
Review
Incorporating Morphological Evaluations into Breeding Soundness Examinations for Female Dogs
by Dane Wells Schwartz, Jonah Kvernum, Naomie Macias, Muhammed Salman Waqas and Michela Ciccarelli
Animals 2025, 15(14), 2045; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15142045 - 11 Jul 2025
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Abstract
This article highlights the importance of evaluating the morphological characteristics of female dogs during breeding soundness examinations (BSEs) to assess their reproductive potential and ensure the health of future offspring. Key traits considered in this evaluation include body type, body condition score, skull [...] Read more.
This article highlights the importance of evaluating the morphological characteristics of female dogs during breeding soundness examinations (BSEs) to assess their reproductive potential and ensure the health of future offspring. Key traits considered in this evaluation include body type, body condition score, skull size and shape, mammary gland conformation, and coat quality. Each of these factors plays a significant role in the health and fertility of breeding females. For example, deviations from breed standards in body size can lead to complications during pregnancy and whelping, while an inappropriate body condition score may disrupt hormonal balance and reproductive cycles. This review also addresses concerns related to brachycephalic breeds, whose conformation can contribute to respiratory and reproductive issues. Additionally, assessing vertebral and pelvic conformation is crucial to prevent dystocia and other complications during delivery. By systematically evaluating these morphological traits, veterinarians can promote ethical breeding practices that prioritize the welfare and genetic health of both breeding females and their puppies. Therefore, integrating comprehensive morphological evaluations into BSEs is essential for responsible dog breeding management, ultimately supporting better reproductive outcomes and healthier future generations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Morphometric Analysis as a Diagnostic Tool for Veterinary Diseases in Dogs and Cats: Recent Progress and Application Prospect)
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