Radiographic imaging in Scottish fold and British shorthair cats and morphometric analysis of lumbal, sacral and caudal sections of skeleton axiale

Objective: The aim of this thesis study is to analyze the radiographic images of the pars lumbalis, pars sacralis and pars caudalis of the skeleton axiale in Scottish Fold and British Shorthair cats and to comparatively evaluate the morphometric data obtained from these images. Material and Methods: A total of 32 cats, 16 Scottish Fold and 16 British Shorthair have been in the experimental group of this study. Ventro-dorsal and latero-lateral radiographs of the anatomical structures forming the pars lumbalis, pars sacralis and pars caudalis of the skeleton axiale were imaged, comparative macroanatomical examination and morphometric measurements were run on these images and the obtained data have been evaluated statistically. Results: In the macroanatomical examination made on the x-ray images of British Shorthair and Scottish Fold cats, eight lumbar vertebrae and sacralization were detected in two cats, incompletely fused S2-S3 in four adult cats, fully fused S3-Ca1 in a ten-month-old cat. In the analysis of morphometric data, it was observed that the average length and width values of all lumbar vertebrae were greater in British Shorthair cats, and the height of the foramen vertebrae was greater in Scottish Fold cats. With the comparison by ignoring racial differences, all lumbar and tail vertebrae except L₇ were detected to be longer in men as well as the average width of the lumbar vertebra was larger. Conclusion: Alongside some morphometric data of both races macroanatomical findings are presented. It is expected that the data obtained as a result of this study will contribute to the researches of raising healthy cats as well as identifying safe implantation corridors for and stabilizing vertebrae. Keywords: British Shorthair, Cat, Morphometry, Scottish Fold , Skeleton Axiale.