Published: Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, 2022
Keyword: Dogs, Weight-bearing, Weight distribution platform, Hip osteoarthritis, Compensation, Symmetry Index, Stance Analyzer
Author(s): J.C. Alves, A. Santosa, P. Jorgea, C. Lavradorb, L.M. Carreira
Overview
This study describes weight-bearing compensation in working dogs with bilateral hip osteoarthritis (OA). 50 police working dogs were evaluated with a weight distribution platform (Companion Stance Analyzer) at the initial evaluation and after intra-articular treatment (a negative control). Six evaluation sessions were performed over a 180-day period. Results were compared by breed, age, sex, weight, and Orthopedic Foundation for Animals hip grade scores. Significant differences were observed in deviation and symmetry index between the control and treatment groups during the follow-up period. The weight distribution platform can be used to evaluate patients, at the initial presentation, and during the assessment of response to treatment.
Materials/Methods
50 active police working dogs were evaluated with a weight distribution platform at the initial evaluation and after intra-articular treatment (a negative control of 0.9% sodium chloride, a platelet concentrate, Hylan G-F 20, triamcinolone hexacetonide, or stanozolol). Six evaluation sessions were performed over 180 days (0,8,15,30,90,180). Results were compared by breed, age, sex, weight and Orthopedic Foundation for Animals hip grade scores with the Independent Samples T-Test, repeated samples Analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation coefficient, P < 0.05.
The sample included 17 German Shepherd Dogs, 15 Belgian Malinois Shepherd Dogs, 10 Labrador Retrievers, and 8 Dutch Shepherd Dogs. Animals had a mean age of 6.5 ± 2.4 years and a bodyweight of 26.7 ± 5.2kg, with 30 males and 20 females. In concern to OFA hip grading, 35 animals were classified as mild, 10 as moderate, and 5 as severe.
Results
No significant differences were observed when comparing weight-bearing for different breeds, sex, hip grades, or weight during the initial evaluation. Significant differences were observed in deviation and symmetry index between the control and treatment groups during the follow-up period. A weight shift from pelvic to thoracic limbs was observed, with a weak, although a significant, correlation between a pelvic limb and the opposing contralateral thoracic limb. Labrador Retrievers showed higher symmetry index and deviation from normal values during the follow-up period than German Shepherd Dogs and Dutch Shepherd Dogs. Male dogs also showed higher symmetry index and deviation compared with females. At this period, the symmetry index showed a weak, although significant, correlation with body weight. Weight-bearing of all limbs correlated with the remaining limbs, reflecting a more balanced weight distribution than the initial evaluation.
Conclusions
This study describes weight-bearing redistribution in dogs with bilateral hip OA. The weight distribution platform can be used to evaluate patients, at the initial presentation, and during the assessment of response to treatment.