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References

High energy focused shock wave therapy accelerates bone healing. A blinded, prospective, randomized canine clinical trial.

Summary:

To evaluate the influence of shock wave therapy (SWT) on radiographic evidence of bone healing after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO).

Conclusion:

Forty-two dogs (50 stifles) were included in the statistical analysis. No major complications were observed and all osteotomies healed uneventfully. The median healing scores were significantly higher at eight weeks postoperatively for the SWT group compared to the SHAM group for the 10-point (p <0.0002) and 5-point scoring systems (p <0.0001).

Author & Journal:Kieves NR, et al, VCOT. 2015:28:425-432
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Hind limb kinematics during therapeutic exercises in dogs with osteoarthritis of the hip joints.

Summary:

To assess joint kinematics in dogs with osteoarthritis of the hip joints during walking up an incline or down a decline and over low obstacles and to compare findings with data for nonlame dogs.

Conclusion:

Osteoarthritis of the hip joints led to complex changes in the gait of dogs, which involved more joints than the affected hip joint alone. Each exercise had specific effects on joint kinematics that must be considered when planning a rehabilitation program.

Author & Journal:Bockstahler BA, et al, Am J Vet Res. 2012 Sep;73(9):1371-6
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Histomorphometry of fragmented medial coronoid process in dogs: a comparison of affected and normal coronoid processes.

Summary:

To determine if fatigue microdamage is associated with fragmented medial coronoid process (FMCP).

Conclusion:

Accumulation of subchondral fatigue microdamage, is associated with MCP fragmentation. Fissuring occurs in the subchondral bone before gross fibrillation of articular cartilage develops.

Author & Journal:Danielson KC, et al, Vet Surg 2006 35:501-509
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Host related risk factors for canine osteosarcoma.

Summary:

A case-control study using the Veterinary Medical Data Base (VMDB) was conducted to test the hypothesis that increasing height and increasing weight are important risk factors for osteosarcoma in dogs. The role of other host factors was also explored.

Conclusion:

The risk of osteosarcoma rose with increasing age, increasing body weight, increasing standard weight and increasing standard height. Compared with the German Shepherd breed, the highest risk of osteosarcomas was found for large and giant breeds, while small breeds had reduced risks. A twofold excess risk was observed among neutered dogs. Adjustment of risk estimates for standard height adjusted for standard weight, and vice versa, showed a stronger and more consistent association of osteosarcoma with increasing height than increasing weight.

Author & Journal:Ru G, et al, Vet J. 156(1):31-39, 1998
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Hyaluronic Acid Versus Saline Intra-Articular Injections for Amelioration of Chronic Knee Osteoarthritis: A Canine Model

Summary:

“The objective of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid (HA) versus saline for symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis (OA).”

Conclusion:

“These data suggest that currently used HA injection protocols were safe and were superior to saline for short-term amelioration of symptoms associated with chronic OA. IAHA injections resulted in clinically significant improvements with respect to pain, function, and range of motion for 4–6 months after treatment with high molecular weight HA showing the most notable and sustained beneficial effects. These findings support the safety and efficacy of IAHA as a symptomatic treatment option for patients with knee OA.”

Author & Journal:Pashuck, Troy D. et al, Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 2016
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Ice reduces edema. A study of microvascular permeability in rats.

Summary:

Ice is applied following a soft-tissue injury on the basis of clinical information. This study investigates the relationship between ice therapy (cryotherapy) and edema by determining microvascular permeability before and after contusion with and without icetherapy and provides data supporting a reduction in edema following cryotherapy.

Conclusion:

The application of ice significantly decreased microvascular permeability following striated muscle contusion. The results of this study demonstrated that microvascular permeability is increased following a contusion coincident with significant leukocyte-endothelial interactions. However, microvascular permeability was significantly reduced following cryotherapy, a treatment demonstrated to reduce the number of rolling and adherent leukocytes. This association suggests that the reduction in edema in injured skeletal muscle following cryotherapy may be due to a reduction in leukocyte-endothelial interactions.

Author & Journal:Deal DN, et al, J Bone Joint Surg 84(9):1573-1578, 2002
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Identification of chromosomal regions associated with cranial cruciate ligament rupture in a population of Newfoundlands

Summary:

To identify chromosomal regions associated with cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR) in a population of Newfoundlands.

Conclusion:

In the population of Newfoundlands, 4 MSATs that were located on 4 chromosomes were significantly associated with the CCLR trait. Three of those markers were validated in part via genotyping additional closely located markers. The MSATs that were associated with the CCLR trait were identified in all regions (except for those on chromosome 24). Newfoundlands with CCLR could be used to study the disease process associated with anterior cruciate ligament injuries that occur in young female human athletes.

Author & Journal:Wilke VL, et al, Am J Vet Res. 2009 Aug;70(8):1013-7
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In vivo tissue temperature comparison of cryotherapy with and without external compression.

Summary:

To compare the tissue-cooling efficiency of external cryotherapy with and without adjunctive compression.

Conclusion:

Externally applied instant cold packs in a dog model caused local tissue hypothermia that peaked by 20 minutes, persisted for at least 1 hour, and was significantly augmented by adjunctive compression. Further research is needed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of these interventions in the management of acute soft-tissue injuries.

Author & Journal:Barlas D, et al, Ann Emerg Med 28:436-439, 1996
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Incorporation of exercise, using an underwater treadmill, and active client education into a weight management program for obese dogs

Summary:

Physical activity improves outcome of weight loss in obese humans, but limited information exists for dogs. Eight obese dogs (body condition score 5/5), of various breeds and genders, undertook a 3-month weight-loss program which included exercise using lead walks and underwater treadmill exercise. The median number of treadmill exercise sessions per dog was 13 (range: 5 to 17). Median distance walked per session was 0.97 km (range: 0.05 to 2.7 km) (0.6 miles; range: 0.03 to 1.70 miles) and this increased sequentially over the course of the study (P < 0.001). Mean [± standard deviation (s)] percentage of starting weight loss over the 3 mo was 18.9 ± 5.44%, equivalent to a rate of weight loss of 1.5 ± 0.43% per week. Thoracic and abdominal girth also declined significantly during the program (P < 0.0001 for both).

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates the potential benefit of including an organized exercise regimen, utilizing an underwater treadmill, in conventional canine weight management programs.

Author & Journal:Chauvet A, et al, Can Vet J. 2011 May; 52(5): 491–496
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Influence of lifetime food restriction on causes, time, and predictors of death in dogs.

Summary:

To describe effects of lifetime food restriction on causes of death and the association between body-mass characteristics and time of death in dogs.

Conclusion:

Results were similar to results of diet restriction studies in rodents and primates, reflecting delayed death from species- and strain-specific intrinsic causes. Clinicians should be aware that unplanned body mass changes during mid- and later life of dogs may indicate the need for thorough clinical evaluation.

Author & Journal:Lawler DF, et al, J Am Vet Med Assoc 2005;226:225-231
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