Faecal microbiome transplantation improves clinical signs of chronic idiopathic large bowel diarrhoea in working dogs.

BACKGROUND: Chronic diarrhoea is a common clinical sign in dogs with chronic enteropathy, and psyllium husk has been shown to improve clinical signs in affected dogs. The aim of this study was to investigate whether faecal microbiome transplant has a similar effect in alleviating clinical signs in dogs with chronic large bowel diarrhoea. METHOD: Thirty large-breed working dogs with chronic large bowel diarrhoea were divided into a psyllium group (PG) and a faecal microbiome transplant group (FMTG). To the PG, 16 g/day of psyllium husk was administered for 30 days. The FMTG received faecal microbiome transplantation (FMT) once via enema. A daily log of faecal characteristics was kept, and the dogs' canine inflammatory bowel disease index (CIBDAI) and body condition scores (BCS) were determined. A Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test was used to compare group results. In addition, the Kaplan-Meier test was used to evaluate the occurrence rate of 1 day or more of diarrhoea and 2 days or more of diarrhoea by day 30. RESULTS: The sample had a mean age of 3.9 ± 2.1 years and a bodyweight of 25.3 ± 6.8 kg. The FMTG showed a more rapid onset of CIBDAI improvement but no difference in other measures. At 30 days, the FMTG showed a greater improvement in bodyweight and BCS, but no differences were observed in faecal scores, defaecation frequency and time of appearance of episodes of diarrhoea. Time played a significant positive role in the results observed across both groups (p < 0.05). LIMITATIONS: This study did not compare the microbiomes of the dogs before and after treatment, so the role of specific types of bacteria cannot be determined. CONCLUSION: Psyllium husk and FMT had similar effects in improving clinical signs of chronic large bowel diarrhoea.

A multiple-session mesotherapy protocol for the management of hip osteoarthritis in police working dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the effect of a mesotherapy protocol in dogs with osteoarthritis. ANIMALS: 30 dogs. PROCEDURES: Dogs were randomly assigned to a control (CG; n = 10) or a mesotherapy group (MG; 20). CG received meloxicam for 70 days. MG was treated with a combination of lidocaine, piroxicam, and thiocolchicoside, injected in intradermal points. Seven treatment sessions were conducted. Response to treatment was measured with different instruments: the Canine Brief Pain Inventory (divided into Pain Interference Score [PIS] and Pain Severity Score [PSS]), Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (LOAD), and Canine Orthopedic Index (COI; divided into function, gait, stiffness, and quality of life), at time 0 (T0), +15 days, +30 days, +60 days, and +90 days after T0. At each time point, the results of the 2 groups with each instrument were analyzed with the Wilcoxon signed ranks test, P < .05. Kaplan-Meier estimators were compared with the Breslow test. RESULTS: Dogs had a mean age of 6.9 ± 2.7 years and a body weight of 31.0 ± 6.4 kg. Hip osteoarthritis was classified as mild (n = 9), moderate (17), or severe (4). No differences were found at T0. Better results were observed in MG at +15 days (P < .01 for PSS and PIS, P = .03 for function), +30 days (P = .01 for PIS and LOAD, P = .03 for PSS, and P = .04 for function, gait, and COI), +60 days (P < .01 for PSS and PIS, P = .01 for LOAD, and P = .02 for function), and +90 days (P = .01 for PSS and PIS, P = .03 for LOAD, and P = .04 for function). Kaplan-Meier estimators showed MG had longer periods with better results than CG in various scores. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This mesotherapy protocol reduced pain scores and other clinical metrology instrument scores lasting for longer periods.

A randomized double-blinded controlled trial on the effects of photobiomodulation therapy in dogs with osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate photobiomodulation therapy in dogs with bilateral hip osteoarthritis. ANIMALS: 20 dogs. PROCEDURES: Forty joints were assigned to a control group (CG; n = 20) or treatment group (photobiomodulation therapy [PBMT]; 20). CG received a 21-day course of meloxicam, and PBMT received treatment with a Class IV therapeutic laser over 3 weeks. Joint range of motion, thigh girth, the Canine Brief Pain Inventory (divided into pain interference score [PIS] and pain severity score [PSS]), Hudson Visual Analogue Scale, Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs, and Canine Orthopedic Index (COI; divided into function, gait, stiffness, and quality of life) were evaluated before treatment, +8, +15, +30, +60, and +90 days after initial treatment. Results were analyzed with repeated measures ANOVA or Wilcoxon signed ranks test, P < 0.05. Kaplan-Meier estimators were compared with the Breslow test. RESULTS: Patients had a mean age of 8.3 ± 1.9 years and body weight of 65.7 ± 12.1lb. Osteoarthritis was classified as moderate (n = 26) and severe (14). No differences were found at time 0. Better results were observed in PBMT at +8 days (P = 0.01 for PSS, P = 0.04 for function and COI), +15 days (P = 0.01 for PSS and function, P = 0.02 for PIS and function, P = 0.03 for COI and P = 0.04 for Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs [LOAD]) and +30 days (P = 0.01 for function and gait, P = 0.02 for COI, and P = 0.04 for PIS, PSS, and LOAD). Joint range of motion improved in PBMT from +15 to 90 days. Kaplan-Meier estimators showed that PBMT produced longer periods with better results. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: PBMT reduced pain levels and improved clinical findings in dogs with hip osteoarthritis.

Multiple session mesotherapy for management of coxofemoral osteoarthritis pain in 10 working dogs: A case series.

The aim of this study was to document the effects of mesotherapy in working dogs diagnosed with hip osteoarthritis (OA) and related pain. Ten police working dogs with hip OA and related pain were treated with a combination of lidocaine, piroxicam, and thiocolchicoside, injected in multiple intradermal points. Seven treatment sessions were conducted. The Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI) and the Hudson Visual Analogue Scale (HVAS) were used in the assessment of response to treatment compared to evaluation before treatment (T0), after 15 d, 30 d, 60 d, 90 d, 120 d, 150 d, and 180 d after initial treatment. Results were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Significant differences were experienced in CBPI scores comparing moments with T0: at 15 d (P = 0.03 for Pain Interference Score - PIS) and P = 0.02 for Pain Severity Score - PSS), 30 d (P < 0.05 for PIS and P < 0.05 for PSS), 60 d (P = 0.04 for PIS and P = 0.01 for PSS) and 180 d (P = 0.04 for PSS). Individual treatment results were considered successful in 40% of animals at 15 d and 30 d, 66.7% at 60 d, 44% at 90 d, 37.5% at 120 d, and 25% at 150 d. The HVAS scores showed no significant differences. Mesotherapy may be an option for the treatment of canine musculoskeletal-related pain. Further studies are required.

Mésothérapie en plusieurs séances pour la prise en charge de la douleur arthrosique coxofémorale chez 10 chiens de travail : une série de cas. Le but de cette étude était de documenter les effets de la mésothérapie chez les chiens de travail diagnostiqués avec une arthrose de la hanche (OA) et des douleurs associées. Dix chiens de travail policiers souffrant d'OA et de douleurs associées ont été traités avec une combinaison de lidocaïne, de piroxicam et de thiocolchicoside, injectée en plusieurs points intradermiques. Sept séances de traitement ont été réalisées. Le Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI) et l'échelle visuelle analogique de Hudson (HVAS) ont été utilisés dans l'évaluation de la réponse au traitement par rapport à l'évaluation avant traitement (T0), après 15 j, 30 j, 60 j, 90 j, 120 j, 150 j et 180 j après le traitement initial. Les résultats ont été comparés à l'aide du test des rangs signés de Wilcoxon. Des différences significatives ont été observées dans les scores CBPI comparant les moments avec T0 : à 15 jours (P = 0,03 pour Pain Interference Score ­ PIS) et P = 0,02 pour Pain Severity Score ­ PSS), 30 jours (P < 0,05 pour PIS et P < 0,05 pour PSS), 60 jours (P = 0,04 pour PIS et P = 0,01 pour PSS) et 180 jours (P = 0,04 pour PSS). Les résultats du traitement individuel ont été considérés comme réussis chez 40 % des animaux à 15 jours et 30 jours, 66,7 % à 60 jours, 44 % à 90 jours, 37,5 % à 120 jours et 25 % à 150 jours. Les scores HVAS n'ont montré aucune différence significative. La mésothérapie peut être une option pour le traitement des douleurs musculosquelettiques canines. Des études complémentaires sont nécessaires.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Comparison of Two Mesotherapy Protocols in the Management of Back Pain in Police Working Dogs: A Retrospective Study.

This study aimed to compare 2 protocols for the management of back pain in police working dogs. Twenty animals were signaled based on history, trainer complaints, physical and radiographic examination consistent with back pain. In a retrospective study, 2 groups were considered: GM, treated with a solution comprising a combination of lidocaine, dexamethasone, and tiocolchicoseide; and GT, treated with the same solution, with the addition of Traumeel LT. Response to treatment, measured by the Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI, divided into pain interference score - PIS, and pain severity score - PSS) and Hudson Visual Analogue Scale (HVAS), was evaluated before treatment (T0), after 15 (+15d) days and 1 (+30d), 2 (+60d), 3 (+90d), 4 (+120d), 5 (+150d) and 6 (+180d) months. Results were compared using an independent samples t-test or a Paired Samples t-test. Comparing results for each moment with T0 within each group, differences where observed only in GM at +15d (P < .01 for PIS and P < .01 for PSS), +30d (P = .04 for PIS and P < .01 for PSS), +60d (P = .03 for PIS and P = .02 for PSS) and +90d (P = .02 for PSS). Treatment was successful in reducing PSS (reduction of ≥1) in 8/10 animals of GM at +15d (80%), 8/10 at +30d (80%), 5/10 at +60d (50%), 4/10 at +90d (40%), 3/9 at +120d (33.3%) and 2/9 at +150d -+ 180d (22.2%). In GT, treatment was successful in 1/10 at +15d -+30d (10%), 2/10 at +60d (20%) and 1/10 at +90d (10%). No differences were observed with HVAS any time point for either intervention or when comparing groups in each moment. The protocol used in GM produced significant improvements, while the addition of Traumeel did not, rather reducing the effect of treatment in working dogs with back pain. Further studies are required.

Effect of an Oral Joint Supplement When Compared to Carprofen in the Management of Hip Osteoarthritis in Working Dogs.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an oral joint supplement in working dogs with hip osteoarthritis compared with a positive control group (CG). Fifteen animals were divided in treatment group (TG, n = 10) and CG (n = 5). To TG a commercially available joint supplement, containing glucosamine HCl, chondroitin sulphate, and hyaluronic acid was given for 40 days and a 70-day course of a placebo, to be administered as if it was carprofen. The CG received carprofen for 70 days, and a placebo to be administered as the joint supplement. Response to treatment, measured by the canine brief pain inventory (CBPI) and the Hudson visual analog scale, was evaluated before treatment (T0), after 15 days (T1) and 1 (T2), 2 (T3), 3 (T4), 4 (T5), and 5 (T6) months. With CBPI, no differences were found in pain interference score and pain severity score between TG and CG throughout or when comparing results within groups. Individual results were considered successful in a maximal of three dogs of the TG by T3 (30%) and 1 in CG (25%). With Hudson visual analog scale, improvements where registered with individual results, for 40%-50% of the animals in TG and 60%-80% of cases in CG. The oral joint supplement and carprofen produced some improvements in individual scores but where unable to do so when overall results were considered. Each of these options may not be able, by itself, to fully address the demands of a working dog with joint disease and related pain.