Where is the withers in dogs, its features and purpose

In an animal, the withers are the highest part of the body. It is the main parameter in the breed standard, and thanks to it you can measure the height of a dog or cat. Knowing the location of this highest point will help you choose a comfortable harness or carrier. In this article we will discuss the topic “where is a dog’s withers – photos and videos.”

Foreign body in a dog. Treatment Options

There are several treatment options depending on your dog's condition.
If you have recently swallowed foreign objects, you may try to induce vomiting. It is also necessary to remove mineral oil, which facilitates the passage of foreign bodies through the gastrointestinal tract within 48 hours. Some objects can be removed using an endoscope. If the animal has symptoms such as vomiting blood or severe pain, then intravenous infusions and painkillers are necessary. Your veterinarian will suggest admitting your dog to the clinic for observation. The decision to operate is usually made on the basis of x-rays and ultrasound results. A blockage in the intestines or stomach can reduce blood flow to the GI tissues, which can become necrotic. If the foreign body is in the stomach or intestines, the object is removed by making an incision in the intestines or stomach. If there are necrotic tissues and parts of the intestine, they are also removed.

After the operation, intensive therapy is carried out with intravenous fluids, painkillers and antibiotics are administered. Feeding the dog after surgery begins 1 to 2 days later. It is advisable to use special diets for nutrition at first.

Pancreas

Figure 12. (A) Transverse scan of the right lobe of the pancreas in a normal dog.

Note the location in relation to the right kidney (RK) and descending duodenum (DUO). The duodenum is usually located lateral to the right lobe of the pancreas, and the right kidney is usually located medial to the right lobe of the pancreas

(B) Longitudinal scan of the left lobe (transducer position relative to the abdominal wall is transverse) of the cat's pancreas is normal. Note the position of the pancreas (between the calipers) relative to the left kidney (LK) and the visualization of the duct (an anechoic tubular structure located in the center of the pancreas). The left lobe of the pancreas is usually located craniolateral to the cranial pole of the left kidney and medial to the body of the spleen, between the caudal border of the stomach and the cranial border of the transverse colon.

The pancreas in dogs and cats may be isoechoic to the surrounding mesenteric fat and is therefore poorly visualized. Reducing the dynamic range of the image to create greater contrast may help identify the pancreas as it becomes more hypoechoic relative to the surrounding mesenteric fat.

Dog

In dogs, the right lobe of the pancreas (Fig. 12A) is easier to identify based on its larger size relative to the left lobe and proximity to the descending duodenum. The size of the pancreas varies depending on the size of the dog. Normally, the glandular duct is not detected on ultrasound. If the duct is present, it is visualized as two hyperechoic parallel lines in the center of the pancreas.

Cat

In cats, the left lobe of the pancreas (Fig. 12B) is more accessible for examination because it is larger than the right lobe. The descending duodenum is more difficult to identify in cats due to its more midline and dorsal location. The centrally located pancreatic duct is usually easily visualized and is used as a landmark to identify the pancreas. The diameter of the pancreatic duct increases with age in cats (Table 1).

Why is a pet's height measured?

An owner may need to measure a pet's height in the following cases:

• control of the puppy’s physical development;
• determination of breed membership;
• establishing the possible jump height of a dog participating in agility competitions;
• choosing and purchasing a dog carrier;
• buying clothes or harnesses for your pet.

Let's talk about each of the points separately. Analysis of the physical development of a puppy is impossible without determining its size

So, it is important for the owner to know not only the weight and height of a small pet, but also the circumference of the chest and paws

At any breed dog show, a mandatory part of the examination is to determine the height of the animals, and in the presence of an expert, to make sure that the height at the withers of the dog meets the standard. This ritual is required to determine whether a pet belongs to a particular breed. The table shows the height of dogs of several popular breeds.

If your dog takes part in agility competitions (overcoming an obstacle course set up in a special area), then you are well aware of the correct procedure for measuring height. This is necessary in order to establish the dog's potential jumping abilities.

In addition, it is necessary to correctly determine the pet’s height in order to choose a comfortable carrier for the animal. This accessory becomes necessary for transporting a pet or being in public places (for example, at an exhibition). The carrier must ensure that the animal is comfortable in it: it must be able to sit, lie down or turn around

When purchasing this accessory, it is important to determine the following parameters:

Pet weight. Necessary in order to choose a bag that can support even your 50-kilogram Gun. Back length. The base from the scruff to the root of the tail is measured so that the pet can comfortably place its plump body in it. Height

It is very important that the carrier allows the dog to change its body position and, if necessary, sit down.

Determining the correct size for your pet is also important for purchasing clothes.

Here you should pay attention to the following parameters: girth of the chest, neck and paws, length of the back and height of the pet. Remember, in order for your pet to always be comfortable, select clothes and accessories for him strictly in size

Measurements for selecting accessories

The number of dog measurements depends on the specifics of the item the owner plans to purchase.

Harness

A harness is a piece of equipment consisting of belts and replacing the presence of a collar. The item allows you to better control your pet’s behavior and is often used in professional training (for guide dogs, sled dogs). For selection you need:

• find the point of the withers, measure the length to the base of the tail;
• measure the volume of the sternum (in the widest place behind the front legs);
• determine neck circumference.

If a specialized harness is selected, additional requirements may arise. For sled dogs, the length from the withers to the lowest point of the sternum (between the front legs) is required.

Cloth

For the correct selection of wardrobe items, in addition to height at the withers, you may need:

• sternum volume;
• body length (from the withers to the main tail);
• abdominal girth;
• paw height;
• neck girth.

It must be taken into account that, regardless of the purpose of the clothing, the dog should be comfortable, so it should not fit too tightly. The freedom of fit is especially important when there is a zipper - it will be difficult to fasten a product that is too narrow without catching the pet’s fur or skin.

Carrying

Carriers are used for comfortable transportation of small dogs (travel, trip to an exhibition, to a veterinary clinic). The selection of accessories is carried out taking into account the height at the withers and body length. The dimensions of the carrier should allow the animal to easily enter, stand and lie inside, and change body position if necessary. Additionally, you will need to know the weight of the pet - all carriers have their own strength limits. Ignoring these parameters will become a source of discomfort for the dog: in a small space it will be cramped and uncomfortable, and a large amount of extra space will be an extra burden on the owner and a lack of safety for the pet inside.

The withers are the highest point of the dog's body; it is the place for determining the animal's height from the plane. Take measurements only in the rack, doing them several times for accuracy. The data is needed for exhibition work, when monitoring the puppy’s growth, and for purchasing clothes and other accessories.

Injections in the withers - what is important to know!

Subcutaneous administration of medications is one of the most common medical procedures when treating a dog. When referring to a subcutaneous injection, they usually talk about an injection into the withers. Giving a dog a hypodermic injection is not that difficult, but it is recommended to follow a number of important rules. The basic rule is that the owner must clearly understand where and how exactly the needle should be inserted.

A subcutaneous injection involves getting the medicine between the thick layer of skin on the withers and the muscle tissue on the animal’s shoulder blades. To administer the medication, you need to gather the skin at the withers into a fold, pull it up a little and fix it. The needle is inserted parallel to the spine and perpendicular to the skin.

Many owners prefer to use small-volume syringes or insulin syringes for injections. The logic here is simple: the thinner the needle, the less painful the injection. Remember, the needle of an insulin syringe may not pierce a fold of skin or may even become bent.

When choosing a syringe, you need to focus on the volume of the drug that needs to be administered to the dog. Quite often, in cases of dehydration or serious injury, dogs are given large subcutaneous injections. If you need to inject five milliliters of the drug or more at a time, you can use a large-volume syringe with a needle from a smaller-volume syringe. Again, there is only one goal - to minimize discomfort and injury.

To inject the drug under the skin, you need to grab the fold at the withers and pull it up a little until the dog feels comfortable. The needle is inserted slowly, but with fairly strong pressure. You will feel the needle “drop” and the syringe give in sharply as it pushes sharply through the skin.

At this moment, it is important to hold the syringe and not pierce the skin fold through. If this happens, don’t worry, because the dog feels virtually no pain.

Stop and gently pull the syringe back so that the needle tip goes back under the fold of skin. Once you are sure that the needle is inserted correctly, begin to slowly inject the medicine. After administering the drug, remove the needle and gently but intensively massage the withers so that the medicine is absorbed faster.

One of the most common mistakes when performing hypodermic injections is the wrong angle of needle insertion when passing through rough layers of skin. If you hold the needle perpendicular to the spine and do not restrain the inertial movement from the pressure, the tip will plunge into the muscle tissue of the shoulder blades, and they are very sensitive.

The second common mistake is not completely passing the needle through the skin layer and introducing the medicine into the interskin layers. If this happens, you will understand it by the large volume of medicine that will spill onto the fur. To properly administer the medicine, it is enough to immerse the needle one-third of the length from the tip.

If, after reading the theoretical material, you do not understand something or are worried that you will not be able to give an injection, it is better to contact a veterinarian and watch him give the injections. Ask your doctor to teach you the basic rules so that you can inject yourself in the future.

Many owners complain that they cannot give their dog an injection due to aggression. Most often, owners write that the dog reacts very adequately to injections in the veterinary office, but does not allow the injection at home. To deal with temperamental animals, there is a method that is commonly called total immersion. The essence of the method is that the dog must find itself in an unfamiliar environment and then you will give the injection without encountering resistance.

Veterinary meaning of the scruff

We have figured out the “training” use of the withers. From a veterinary point of view, the scruff of the neck is an excellent place to give an injection. As we already wrote above, there are very few nerve endings in this area, and therefore the introduction of an injection needle does not cause the animal any significant discomfort. In addition, the skin here itself is quite thin and delicate, which further simplifies the injection of medications.

The advantage of the withers is also the strong mobility of the skin in this area. When the medicine is administered subcutaneously, the latter quickly rubs under the skin, and therefore is absorbed much faster. As for oil-based products, they are generally advised to be injected exclusively into the nape area. When injected into other places, such drugs often cause the formation of abscesses. Their base simply cannot be absorbed normally, getting into, for example, muscle tissue.

In addition, various antiparasitic drops (against lice, fleas, etc.) are applied to the scruff of the neck. The withers are ideal for this. This is due to the fact that the dog, even if it wants to, will not be able to wriggle out and lick off the applied medicine. Considering the toxicity of drugs used to destroy ectoparasites when used internally, this circumstance is important.

K How to take the correct measurement

There are rules that should be followed if you want to get the most accurate data:

1. The most suitable tool for measuring is a hard measuring stick, a tape measure or a tailor's yardstick, giving distorted results, usually the dog turns out to be 1-3 cm higher.
2. Three measurements should be taken at intervals of 30 seconds to 1 minute. Taking all the results, you need to calculate the average value, which will be the final result.
3. Adopting a stance is a must.
4. Measuring instruments are applied in such a way that they fit snugly to the animal’s body, pressing the fur, but are not pressed into the skin. Owners of dogs with long hair are recommended to sort out the hair in the area where the tool is applied.

Owners of show animals are aware that their pet must be able to take a special stance in which it is measured. But why are measurements not taken from the head or nose? But the whole point is that even among representatives of the same breed, head posture can be different, which will lead to distorted measurement data.

Height at the withers is the distance from the support to the point where the neck and shoulder blades meet. In addition, the withers are the highest point on the animal's body. In a dog of any breed or without one, the “scratch” consists of five vertebrae, which are located between the shoulder blades.

To measure the dog, it must be stood up. Show class dogs are trained to accept it on a specific command - at the show no one will wait for the participant to stand up properly. If the pet does not have such a skill, the owner just needs to watch him - the dog takes such a stance when he is interested in something and closely follows the object

It doesn’t matter what position his head and neck are in

The dog should stand on a flat surface (a small four-legged dog can be placed on a table), not be distracted by extraneous stimuli

You can attract her attention with a treat or toy. It is best if two people participate in the event

Next, you should focus on the dog’s behavior:

• if the dog is standing still, you can take measurements using a tape measure or 2 long rulers - one is placed on the dog’s back, the other is used to measure the distance from the floor to the ruler located on the back;
• a restless pet cannot be measured in this way - in this case it is better to make marks on the wall - the dog should be placed against the wall and a mark should be made at the shoulder blades.

The first method is good for measuring small and medium-sized individuals, the second - for dogs of impressive size. Growing and developing pets should be measured regularly. The best time for such a procedure is the period before a meal - the animal reacts more actively to treats.

There are a number of statistical tables with height and weight standards, and they are available for each registered and officially accepted breed. If the owner discovers that his puppy is not growing as expected, he should consult a veterinarian. In most cases, such deviations can be corrected, especially if detected at an early stage. Most often they are associated with eating disorders.

An adult dog can be measured once every 8-12 weeks, this is especially important if the pet has a tendency to pathologies of the spine and pelvic bones. As the disease develops, the dog’s withers “sag”

Universal measurement rules

To correctly measure a dog at the withers, you should familiarize yourself with the uniform requirements imposed by canine organizations for this procedure. Deviation from the established regulations leads to discrepancies in obtaining results. To avoid inconsistencies, we highlight five simple but strict rules:

1. Measuring the height of the withers is done with a specially designed instrument, a measuring ruler. Using a tape measure or a tailor's tape measure allows for an error of 1-3 cm in the direction of overestimating the result.
2. Measurements are taken three times with a break of 30-60 seconds. The final result will be the arithmetic mean of the obtained values.
3. The animal being measured is in an exhibition stand on a flat floor or ground.
4. The height meter is applied to the pet's body tightly, but without strong pressure, slightly pressing the hairline. Long hair at the point of contact with the tool is parted.
5. Regular measurements are taken before feeding the dog. The time of day is chosen to be the same.

Gallbladder

The gallbladder is a thin-walled (<1 mm), fluid-filled, anechoic structure (Figure 3). Fullness varies depending on when the last meal was and the fat content of it.

Figure 3. (A) Short axis image of a dog's liver.

Note the round, thin-walled, anechoic gallbladder located on the right side of the liver. Bile in the gallbladder is anechoic

The liquid nature of the bleb contents results in a distal amplification of sound noted in the far field of the image (white arrow). (B) Longitudinal scan of the cat's liver. Note the thin-walled bilobed gallbladder (*) with mirror image artifact on the opposite side of the diaphragm.

Dog

The neck of the gallbladder normally narrows; the cystic and common bile ducts are not traced to the level of the duodenal papilla in dogs (Fig. 4). Echogenic content in the gallbladder is considered normal in dogs, but is observed to a greater extent in dogs with Cushing's disease. Typically, the position of echogenic contents in the gallbladder depends on gravity (far field).

Cat

The gallbladder may be bilobed in cats as a variant of the anatomical norm (Figure 3B). In cats, the cystic and common bile ducts can normally be traced to the level of the major duodenal papilla and have a diameter of 2 to 3 mm (Figure 5). If a hyperechoic deposit is present in a cat's gallbladder, in combination with wall thickening, differential diagnoses would include cholecystitis or cholangiohepatitis; The normal feline gallbladder usually does not contain echogenic deposits.

Figure 4. Short axis view of the canine duodenal papilla (white arrow) at the level of the descending duodenum.

Note the normal focal thickening of the hyperechoic submucosal layer of the duodenum at the level of the confluence of the main duodenal papilla

Figure 5. Short axis scan showing a cat's cystic duct at the level of the gallbladder.

Note the relatively dilated duct (normal

How to measure a dog's height?

The animal's height must be measured when it is standing at rest. The dog does not need to be fed immediately before measuring the height at the withers. Let her sniff the tools to calm her down and remove the feeling of danger. When taking measurements, the dog should stand on a flat surface, for example, on a table if it is small, or on the floor if it is of average height or above.

It is better to measure the height together: one holds the pet, and the other measures. The dog's legs should be straight and he should be completely relaxed. Height at the withers is very difficult to measure in puppies because they cannot be calmed. If this is not urgent, then it is better to wait with measurements until he grows up.

If it is not possible to measure the height at the withers immediately, then it is better to gradually and step by step accustom the animal to this procedure.

Tools needed to measure height:

• two rulers,
• building level,
• book,
• meter.

It’s up to you to use all of them or only some of them. This depends on the chosen measurement method. If you have a stadiometer, it will be easier to measure the dog's height with it.

To measure growth you need:

1. Place the dog on a flat surface and, if possible, secure it.
2. Find where the dog's withers are.
3. Place a book, construction meter, ruler or other flat object on top of the shoulder blades.
4. Measure the distance to the floor with a second ruler or meter. Keep the tool straight without going sideways. There should be no objects on the floor that could affect the correct measurements, such as carpet or baseboards.

It is best to have the dog's height measured constantly by the same people at a specific time of day. For greater accuracy, measurements are carried out several times.

Medium and large sized breeds can be measured differently. You need to bring the pet to a wall or door frame, and make a mark there from the top of the animal’s shoulder blades. Then all that remains is to measure the height with a ruler or meter.

Thus, understanding where a dog’s withers is located is necessary to determine its growth and compliance of the parameters with the quality standards of the breed, as well as to find the right accessories and monitor the development of the pet. A dog's skeleton is fully formed by the age of two to three years - this is when its exact height needs to be measured. Developmentally delayed or sick puppies are measured weekly to monitor progress or improvement.

What the Research Says

Studies have generally proven that grabbing the withers in dogs does not reduce aggression. But what about the situation when a mother dog carries puppies by grabbing them by the scruff of the neck? Firstly, the bitch does this as carefully as possible, trying not to harm her offspring in any way. Secondly, the dog does not deliberately rock the puppies being carried. Thus, there is no real relationship between the suppression of aggression and the “swaying” of the withers.

In general, back in 1990, English dog experts conducted studies of the postnatal behavior of 200 dogs throughout the country (Hallgreen, 1990). Among the results of their checks, only two or three cases were described when a bitch shook an overly active puppy by the withers. Moreover, subsequent studies of postnatal behavior (Schilder and Netto, 1991), covering thousands of dogs, also confirmed that dogs are not characterized by suppression of their relatives by grasping the withers.

The conclusion is simple - dragging a naughty dog ​​by the scruff of the neck is an outdated and, moreover, an extremely erroneous method of training and influencing the behavior of a pet.

Notes

When training a dog, it is highly undesirable to use any form of physical force if the hands of the owner are used for this. Subsequently, this leads to the formation of a persistent protective reflex. Owners dealing with poorly managed animals should consult experienced dog handlers, since the slightest mistakes in training can lead to major problems in the future. Fixing them on your own can be difficult, if not impossible. We emphasize once again that your dog should perceive the person’s hand as a source of affection, and not a “punishing hand.”

How to take measurements correctly

The height of the animal in the area of ​​the withers is measured directly from the highest point between the shoulder blades to the end of the forelimb. Measurements are taken using a special ruler. If you don’t have a measuring device, you can make such a measuring ruler yourself.

Note! In order to measure the height of your four-legged friend as accurately as possible, you need to bring him onto a hard, flat surface. It is advisable to take measurements at the same time, before eating.

There are rules for uniform measurements for all dog breeds. They are as follows:

• Each measurement must be carried out with a special instrument. Violation of this rule causes different results. Dimensions at the withers are taken by professionals using a special hard measuring stick. At home, dog breeders often use flexible tape or tape measure. This causes the difference in results to be of the order of 1.5 – 3.5 cm (when measured with a tailor’s meter, the height is greater).
• Measurements are taken several times, and the interval between measurements is 1-2 minutes. From the results obtained, an average number is isolated, which is considered the final measurement.
• When taking measurements, the animal must be in a special exhibition stand.
• The device for taking measurements should fit tightly to the animal’s body, pressing the fur. But pressing into the skin is not acceptable. In dog breeds with long hair, the hair is removed from the withers area.

The method of placing a flat object on the withers will help to correctly determine the highest point on the dog’s back. A book or any flat object should be positioned parallel to a hard surface. It is noteworthy that the growth of the animal undergoes changes if dogs of different breeds were bred when receiving the puppies. In dogs that do not have a breed, their growth can be large or, on the contrary, small. In purebred dogs, the height at the withers must correspond to the established breed standards.

Eczema

Eczema is an inflammation of the superficial layer of the skin. It can be dry or weeping, focal (limited) or diffuse (scattered).

It begins with redness, the formation of compacted elevations (papules), turning into bubbles with liquid (vesicles). The vesicular exudate then becomes purulent and bursts, infecting the surrounding surface and causing maceration.

CAUSES:

• poor skin and coat care;
• use of unsuitable cleaning products;
• ectoparasites - lice, ticks, fleas;
• mechanical impact - rubbing the skin with a collar, muzzle, harness;
• chemicals - medicines, disinfectants.

N In search of the withers

The withers are the area of ​​the body that begins immediately after the neck. These are the first 5 vertebrae of the back, which are located at its beginning, just between the shoulder blades. It is advisable for the dog owner to master a skill that helps determine the location of the withers and the folds of skin covering them. It is considered basic. It will be required in the following cases:

1. When treating a pet with insecticidal agents, most often drops from parasites must be applied to the withers area, since their active components are slowly absorbed into the skin and do not suddenly enter the bloodstream. In some drugs, the active ingredients tend to accumulate in skin cells, and in the withers area it is less sensitive.
2. When administering subcutaneous injections, the withers are the most suitable place to administer medicinal compounds for several reasons: this area is the least sensitive to damage, in addition, it has a cavity into which the entire dose enters at once, and there is no need to divide it into several doses.
3. To control the growth and development of the puppy - this especially applies to purebred individuals, the parameters of which are indicated in the standard, and the owner can periodically weigh and measure the pet’s growth to make sure that it does not go beyond the norm.
4. When selecting ammunition and accessories, the girth of the withers in this aspect is a fundamental characteristic.
5. To choose a suitable wardrobe if your pet needs special clothing.

Detecting the withers is a simple task if the owner is experienced and the pet has a standard build. But even otherwise, you can use a special method that allows you to accurately detect the desired skin folds:

• You should put your hands on the dog’s shoulders and press them to the body;
• it is necessary to move your hands up, collecting the skin until it forms a fold;
• the arms are lowered until they rest on the shoulder blades;
• the skin in the hands is the scruff of the neck, which is also the fold on the withers.

In addition, you can detect a dog’s withers using a flat object, such as a book. It is placed on the withers area, and when it lies parallel to the floor, the desired point has been found. It is worth noting that the first person to find a puppy’s withers is his mother. It is with this that she holds the babies when she moves them. In common parlance this area is called the scruff of the neck.

Video “How to take measurements correctly”

This video demonstrates how to properly measure your pet.

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From theory to practice

Before measuring a dog's height at the withers, you need to purchase a special ruler or height meter. A professional tool will allow you to accurately determine the distance from the highest point of the back line to the floor. This will be the height of the dog at the withers.

The measurement begins by placing a thick book or square between the shoulder blades parallel to the floor. This is how the upper measurement point is found. Then a stadiometer is attached to it, which will show the desired value.

How to measure a dog's height at the withers without a special measuring device? The pet is placed close to the wall. A book is placed on the withers, parallel to the floor, and docked with a vertical surface. A mark is made at the point of contact between the book and the wall. Using a long wooden or metal ruler, find out the distance from the mark to the floor.

At the time of manipulation, the pet should stand calmly and straight, without lowering or raising its head. This fixation can be achieved by feeding the animal by hand. It is held at a height that corresponds to the natural position of the head. A photo will help you see the process in detail, how to measure a dog’s height at the withers.

Photo gallery

Photo 1. Carrying for a large dog

Photo 2. Height meter Photo 3. Measuring height using rulers

Photo 4. Carrying for small breeds

Correlation with standard

Growth standards have been established for each breed of the dog family. As an example, here are the values ​​typical for cables of common types:

• Dalmatian, 56-62 cm,
• Labrador Retriever, 56-57 cm,
• Great Dane, 80-90 cm,
• Saint Bernard, 70-90 cm,
• Giant Schnauzer, 60-70 cm,
• German boxer, 57-63 cm,
• beagle, 33-40 cm,
• Maltese, 21-25 cm.

The pet's height may not coincide with the standard if its mother and father belonged to different breeds. Unpredictable growth is also typical for outbred puppies: growing up, they can be much taller or shorter than their parents.

The tallest dog in the world, the Great Dane Zeus, is 111.8 cm tall at the withers. The god of canine Olympus lives in the American state of Michigan. Owners say that with a weight of 70 kg, the pet eats 14 kg of dog food per day. The barking giant does not fit in a passenger car, so for country trips I had to buy a truck.

Grabbing the withers: is it acceptable when training an animal?

Many cat lovers know that when even the most menacing and cocky cat is lifted by the scruff of the neck, the animal quickly loses most of its drive, becoming much calmer. This is due to the existence of a submission reflex, the center of which is located in the cerebellum of the animal. It is activated when special receptors located precisely in the thickness of the skin on the back of the neck are activated. But what do cats have to do with it? The problem is that many animal lovers do not see much difference in species psychology.

When it comes to training dogs, breeders tend to use outdated techniques that cause a lot of stress in the animals and produce mediocre results. In particular, many sources recommend “to subdue the puppy, grab him by the scruff of the neck and shake him vigorously.” But dogs are not cats; this trick works with them, but leads to somewhat unexpected results. It is believed that this technique was based on the “social behavior of dogs.” Allegedly, bitches “raise” their puppies this way. Surprisingly, this belief is widespread even among professional breeders. But in reality everything is a little different...

Violence begets violence

Grabbing a “fine” dog by the scruff of the neck is a “positive” punishment, emphasizing the dominant role of a person, but not causing the dog real suffering and pain. But! When using this technique to correct a dog's behavior, side effects can develop, which is fraught with numerous problems. For example, frequent use of “positive punishment” can lead to the development of defensive aggression. In the case of certain breeds (Rottweilers, for example), this is fraught with the pet turning into a complete “inadequate”.

This happens because the dog begins to perceive any movement of the owner’s hands as a threat. The result is growling, barking, and in advanced cases, a dog may attack a person. Moreover, dog handlers have come to the conclusion that the consequences of such “education” are the impossibility or severe difficulty of subsequent correction of the dog’s behavior using normal methods.

Moreover, forcefully grabbing the scruff of the neck is not as effective a measure as is usually thought of. Thus, research by English dog handlers has proven that no more than 26% of dogs actually demonstrate submission when using this method of punishment. In more than 48% of cases, an increase in the aggression of the “test subjects” was noted, so using the withers for educational purposes is very reminiscent of trying to put out a fire with gasoline.

Where is a dog's withers located?

It’s easy to find where a dog’s withers are – the beginning of this part of the body is located immediately after the neck. The withers are the first five vertebrae of the dorsal spine, located at the beginning of the back between the shoulder blades.

A small bump on the neck is its external manifestation. It feels dynamic to the touch, it’s easy to stretch, the skin on it lifts with your hand without effort. Adults drag small puppies behind it.

Thanks to this area, the dog has motor functions of the front legs and neck, so it is normally tall, wide, well-developed and quite muscular. The stronger the withers, the better the physical development of the pet. Its power determines the strength of the back and legs. Therefore, some breeds are specially trained to withers, forcing the animal to carry weights.

It is important to remember that its final formation occurs by two to three years. It depends on the breed

Ideally, this is the tallest part of the pet. But there are also deviations from the norm due to developmental defects: a sagging or curved back, improper formation of the animal.

Height is measured precisely at the withers.

Clinical picture of acute moist dermatitis or when you need to urgently consult a doctor:

• The dog scratches and scratches a specific area of ​​the skin with its hind paws. Most often these are the cheeks, sides, neck, and withers.
• Licks or bites paws and/or rump.
• When the owner tries to inspect these areas, the animals show anxiety and even aggression.
• The skin shows patches (red, weeping, hot to the touch) that are different from normal skin (pale pink). These lesions may emit a specific unpleasant odor and in some places there may be no hair.

Initial appointment

Absolutely forbidden:

• Moisturize these areas with a 0.05% chlorhexidine solution!
• Wash these areas with water.
• Lubricate with fatty creams and ointments, for example, Panthenol (this item does not apply to medicinal antibacterial agents)
• Cauterize with alcohol due to the risk of additional complications of a chemical burn.
• Sprinkle with any powders, such as streptocide, due to the risk of scabs developing on the surface of the skin and infection penetrating into the deeper layers of the skin

What to do:

1. If possible, consult a doctor immediately, as in severe cases this disease can cause sepsis and even death.
2. If you have already encountered this problem with your pet, then going to the country, to nature, on a trip, etc. Be sure to pack a first aid kit to quickly relieve symptoms of the disease. A veterinary dermatologist will definitely help you with this.
3. If this is the first time, and there is no way to quickly get to a doctor, try to isolate the affected area from claws and teeth (that is, do not allow the affected area to be scratched or licked), ideally this would be a protective collar or T-shirt. It is strictly forbidden to bandage the affected area.
4. Around the outbreak and on the outbreak of dermatitis itself, it is necessary to cut the hair (to prevent the hair from sticking together with exudate). Treat with drying agents (for example, hydrogen peroxide solution or fucorcin) and immediately show the dog to a veterinarian!

Liver

The liver consists of the right lateral, right medial, left lateral, left medial, quadrate and caudate lobes; The caudate lobe consists of the caudate and mastoid processes. Ultrasonographically, the lobes cannot be differentiated. On the contrary, the liver is visualized as an integral homogeneous structure that normally contains branching portal veins. A normal ultrasound appearance of the liver does not exclude infiltrative diseases in dogs and cats.

Figure 1. (A) Longitudinal image of a dog's liver. The structure and echogenicity of the liver are normal with clear walls of the portal veins (hyperechoic) and hepatic veins (isoechoic). The curvilinear hyperechoic line separating the cranial periphery of the liver in the far field represents the reflected lung/diaphragm-liver interface. (B) Longitudinal scan of a cat's liver.

Note the hyperechoic falciform ligament fat in the near field (red arrow) with an echogenic line defining the origin of the liver parenchyma

Dog

The canine liver (Figure 1A) is hypoechoic to the adjacent spleen. Falciform ligament fat in dogs is not a reliable indicator of the overall echogenicity of the liver, as it may appear hypo-, iso-, or hyperechoic relative to the normal liver. The portal veins have distinct hyperechoic walls.

Figure 2. Longitudinal image of a cat liver. The liver is hypoechoic to the fat of the falciform ligament. The walls of the blood vessels are not as clearly visible as in a dog.

Cat

The gallbladder is a thin-walled (<1 mm), fluid-filled, anechoic structure (Figure 3). Fullness varies depending on when the last meal was and the fat content of it.

Unlike dogs, cat liver (Figure 1B) is typically isoechoic to the fat of the falciform ligament, which is thicker than that of dogs. However, the liver becomes hyperechoic in clinically obese cats secondary to fatty liver or lipidosis; or hypoechoic, as in active hepatitis or lymphoma (Fig. 2). Intrahepatic portal veins are less prominent in cats than in dogs.

Why is it important to monitor the height of the dog at the withers?

Height at the withers is a significant element of measurement. This is the same breed quality standard as the oblique body length and pastern girth. There are breeds whose name directly depends on their height, for example, for poodles it is royal, small and dwarf.

It is imperative to know the location of the withers and the size of the dog in order to:

• find out the required jump height in sports competitions,
• compare the size of the pet with the generally accepted norms of the breed’s exterior,
• identify developmental abnormalities,
• choose the right size of accessories for your pet,
• get an injection, vaccination and anti-parasitic treatment.

For veterinary purposes, the withers are best suited because there are many blood vessels in it, and its sensitivity is reduced compared to the rest of the body. The effect of various medications against fleas, ticks and worms improves on it, because the temperature there is slightly higher than on the rest of the body. And besides, the pet cannot lick the medicine from the withers, because it cannot reach there.

Measurements of the withers for the purchase of ammunition and accessories

If you doubt that the size of the accessory will fit, you can resort to a trick. Take your pet to a large pet store and try on several models of different harnesses or other accessories that interest you. Having chosen the right one, ask the seller to take basic measurements or do it yourself.

When choosing clothes, in addition to the girth of the withers and chest, you will need measurements from the withers to the tail. This measurement is taken by laying down a measuring tape from the point at which the neck and shoulder blades meet to the point at which the tail becomes mobile. Again, if you doubt that your pet's proportions match the standards, you can try on the accessories you like at a pet store and take measurements from the finished product.

To choose the right carrier, it is necessary to take into account not only the dog’s height at the withers, but also its weight. When choosing a carrier, you need to understand why you are buying it. For example, to transport a dog on an airplane, the carrier must be spacious and allow the dog to stand up. For short transport, such as to and from the veterinary clinic, you can use a carrier that fully accommodates the dog, but does not allow him to stand up.