References

Canine Orthopedic Outcome Measures Program: Where Are We Now?

Summary:

The overall goal of COMP was to advance veterinary orthopedic patient care by providing and supporting mechanisms for all clinicians, researchers, industry partners, and regulatory bodies to produce, assess, and implement the highest evidentiary value data for evaluation of safety and efficacy of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. At project initiation, we estimated that it would take more than 1 million dollars to recruit key personnel, design appropriate studies, produce data, and create, validate and implement the instruments(s). After 6 years of intensive work in all of these areas, a tremendous amount of progress has been made. This editorial summarizes the COMP’s efforts and results, and suggests a way forward to our ultimate goal of optimal patient-centered, evidence based care in veterinary orthopedics.”

Conclusion:

“The good news is that we now have a number of excellent options for effectively measuring outcomes in clinical and translational studies in dogs. The bad news is that we now have a number of different options to sort through to determine what is optimal for each study. So what should you do?” Click the link for the full article and listed solutions from the author.

Author & Journal:Cook, James L., Veterinary Surgery, 2014

Canine ovariohysterectomy and orchiectomy increases the prevalence of ACL injury.

Summary:

To determine whether canine ovariohysterectomy or orchiectomy affects the prevalence of anterior cruciate ligament injury, we compared injury rates of anterior cruciate ligaments of animals that had gonadectomy and animals that were sexually intact as a function of gender, breed, or size.

Conclusion:

Sterilization of either gender increased the prevalence of anterior cruciate ligament injury, suggesting a potential effect of gonadal gender on prevalence of injury of this ligament.

Author & Journal:Slauterbeck JR, et al, Clin Orthop Relat Res. 429:301-305, 2004

Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation

Summary:

The book covers a wealth of topics related to sports medicine and rehabilitation.

Author & Journal:Zink MC, et al, eds. Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Chichester, UK. 2013

Cannabinoids as Pharmacotherapies for Neuropathic Pain: From the Bench to the Bedside.

Summary:

A review of studies evaluating cannabinoids for neuropathic pain management in the clinical and preclinical literature.

Conclusion:

“The present review suggests that cannabinoids show promise for treatment of neuropathic pain in humans either alone or as an add-on to other therapeutic agents. Further evaluation of safety profiles associated with long term effects of cannabinoids are, therefore, warranted.”

Author & Journal:Rahn, EJ, et al, Neurotherapeutics, 2009

Cardiac tumors in dogs: 1982-1995.

Summary:

A Veterinary Medical Database search from 1982 to 1995 identified 1,383 dogs with tumors of the heart from a total population of 729,265 dogs (0.19% incidence).

Conclusion:

Thus, neutering appeared to increase the risk of cardiac tumor in both sexes. Intact females were least likely to develop a cardiac tumor, whereas spayed females were most likely to develop a tumor. Twelve breeds had greater than average risk of developing a cardiac tumor, whereas 17 had lower risk.

Author & Journal:Ware WA, et al, J Vet Intern Med 1999; 13:95-103

Chronology of hip dysplasia development in a cohort of 48 Labrador Retrievers followed for life

Summary:

To determine the chronology of radiographic signs of canine hip dysplasia (CHD), specifically joint laxity and secondary osteoarthritis (OA).

Conclusion:

OFA-criteria score was profoundly influenced by environmental factors, such as diet restriction and age, reducing its value as a selection criterion. DI measurements were not influenced by dietary treatment suggesting higher trait heritability.

Author & Journal:Smith GK, et al, Vet Surg 2012

Clinical comparison of a novel extracapsular stabilization procedure and tibial plateau leveling osteotomy for treatment of cranial cruciate ligament deficiency in dogs

Summary:

To develop and test a novel extracapsular technique, TightRope CCL technique (TR), and compare its 6-month clinicaloutcomes to tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) deficiency.

Conclusion:

TR resulted in 6-month outcomes that were not different than TPLO in terms of radiographic progression of OA and client-evaluated level of function. TR was associated with shorter anesthesia and surgery times as well as a lower complication rate.

Author & Journal:11. Cook J, et al, Vet Surg 2010;39(3):315-23

Clinical diagnosis and treatment of suspected neuropathic pain in three dogs.

Summary:

Three dogs were referred to The Queen’s Veterinary School Hospital at University of Cambridge for chronic behavioural or locomotor disorders associated with pain. All three had been unsuccessfully treated with conventional analgesics, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids and opiate agonists, prior to referral, with minimal or no response.

Conclusion:

Treatment with the tricyclic antidepressant drug, amitriptyline, or the antiepileptic drug, gabapentin, resulted in either a dramatic improvement or full resolution of clinical signs in all cases.

Author & Journal:Cashmore RG, et al, Aust Vet J 2009;87:45-50

Clinical effect of additional electroacupuncture on thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation in 80 paraplegic dogs.

Summary:

The clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture and acupuncture in combination with medication for the treatment of thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation was investigated in paraplegic dogs with intact deep pain perception. To evaluate the additional effect of electroacupuncture, dogs treated with conventional medicines alone were compared to dogs treated with electroacupuncture and acupuncture and conventional medicine.

Conclusion:

The results suggest that a combination of electroacupuncture and acupuncture with conventional medicine is more effective than conventional medicine alone in recovering ambulation, relieving back pain, and decreasing relapse. Electroacupuncture and acupuncture is thus a reasonable option for the treatment of intervertebral disc herniation in paraplegic dogs with intact deep painperception.

Author & Journal:Han HJ, et al, Am J Chin Med 38(6):1015-1025, 2010

Clinical hip dysplasia in growing dogs: the long-term results of conservative management

Summary:

The long‐term results of conservative management in 68 immature dogs with clinical and radiographic evidence of hip dysplasia are described.

Conclusion:

Seventy‐six per cent of the dogs had minimal gait abnormalities despite radiological evidence of moderate or severe osteoarthrosis.

Author & Journal:Barr ARS, et al, J Small Anim Pract 28: 243-252, 1987