Dachshund Club of Victoria

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Pes Varus

Pes Varus

Pes varus is a Latin term that combines pes (foot) and varus (inward) and describes a deformity in which the distal tibia is turned inward toward the body.

 

Pes Varus has been referred to as Angular Hock Deformity and Bow Legged Syndrome.

Pes Varus is a deformity of the rear leg (unilateral) or both legs (bilateral) that gives a dog the appearance of being bowlegged. The distal (outside) growth plates of the tibia grow at a faster rate than the media (inside) side which causes the deformity. Typically growth plates close between 8 and 12 months of age in a pup that is growing properly. In a pup that has Pes Varus one side will begin to close at 4 to 6 months of age. This condition can range from mild to severe depending on how early the first growth plate closes and how late the second one closes. The earlier the first one closes the more severe the condition will be.

As breeders we need to follow the progress of our puppies at least until they are past the age that this could happen to them. There is no genetic test available as of yet to determine whether a dog carries the gene for Pes Varus. It is believed that both sire and dam must be carriers for it to be produced.

Pes Varus occurs globally and has been documented in all three coat varieties and in both Miniature and Standard Dachshunds. Cases have been reported in Dachshunds from USA, Finland, the Czech Republic, Japan and Australia.