Commercially available wearable health monitor in dogs is unreliable for tracking energy intake and expenditure.

OBJECTIVE: Assess the accuracy of predicted daily energy requirement (pDER) reported by a triaxial accelerometer and activity monitor for dogs (FitBark 2; FitBark Inc) and determine whether the activity monitor accurately estimates the observed daily energy requirement (oDER). We hypothesized that the activity monitor would accurately estimate oDER in dogs and meet standards established for human devices. ANIMALS: 23 dogs between the ages of 1 and 10 years and variable sex, breed, and body weight were enrolled from May 5, 2021, through July 23, 2021. METHODS: Dogs were weighed before and after the study period to ensure stable body weights. Owners recorded their dogs' daily caloric intake for the entire 28-day study period while the device monitored physical activity and calculated pDER. oDER was defined as the reported caloric intake required to maintain a stable body weight over a 28-day period. pDER and oDER were compared using Bland-Altman graphs, Passing-Bablock analysis, and Lin's Concordance correlation analysis. P ≤ .05 was considered significant. RESULTS: 23 apparently healthy dogs completed the study. There was no significant difference between starting body weights and ending body weights (P= .5). The activity monitor overpredicted 28-day pDER compared to 28-day oDER in the majority (18/23, 78.3%) of dogs. Based on Bland-Altman analysis, Passing-Bablok regression, and Lin's concordance correlation analysis, there was poor agreement between the pDER and oDER. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The activity monitors consistently reported inaccurate pDER compared to oDER. Its usability for estimating pDER is of limited clinical and research utility based on the results of this study.

Surgical treatment of a double aortic arch in a dog.

An 8-month-old spayed female Labrador retriever dog was evaluated for regurgitation 6 months after surgery for a suspected vascular ring anomaly. The dog had a history of regurgitation and slow development as a puppy. An initial left-sided exploratory thoracotomy was unsuccessful in identifying and treating a vascular ring anomaly. The dog was subsequently presented to the PennVet Emergency Service for regurgitation. Thoracic radiography showed cranial thoracic esophageal dilation and an esophageal foreign body that was then removed endoscopically. Subsequent computed tomographic (CT) angiography revealed a double aortic arch. A left 4th intercostal space thoracotomy was performed. The smaller left aortic arch and a left ligamentum arteriosum were ligated and transected. The dog recovered uneventfully and was healthy at the 1-month follow-up visit. This is the 5th reported successful surgical correction of a double aortic arch in a dog. Computed tomographic angiography was essential in diagnosis and surgical planning. Key clinical message: Although uncommon, double aortic arches can occur and present a diagnostic and surgical challenge when a persistent right aortic arch is suspected. Computed tomographic angiography provides an accurate preoperative diagnosis and allows for surgical planning.

Traitement chirurgical d'un double arc aortique chez un chien. Une chienne Labrador retriever femelle stérilisée âgée de 8 mois a été évaluée pour régurgitation 6 mois après une chirurgie pour une anomalie suspectée de l'anneau vasculaire. Le chien avait des antécédents de régurgitation et de développement lent en tant que chiot. Une première thoracotomie exploratrice gauche n'a pas permis d'identifier et de traiter une anomalie de l'anneau vasculaire. Le chien a ensuite été présenté au service d'urgence PennVet pour régurgitation. La radiographie thoracique a montré une dilatation de l'oesophage thoracique crânien et un corps étranger oesophagien qui a ensuite été retiré par endoscopie. L'angiographie tomodensitométrique (TDM) subséquente a révélé un double arc aortique. Une thoracotomie du 4e espace intercostal gauche a été réalisée. Le plus petit arc aortique gauche et un ligament artériel gauche ont été ligaturés et sectionnés. Le chien s'est rétabli sans incident et était en bonne santé lors de la visite de suivi à 1 mois. Il s'agit de la cinquième correction chirurgicale réussie d'un double arc aortique chez un chien. L'angiographie tomodensitométrique était essentielle dans le diagnostic et la planification chirurgicale.Message clinique clé :Bien que rares, des arcs aortiques doubles peuvent survenir et présenter un défi diagnostique et chirurgical lorsqu'un arc aortique droit persistant est suspecté. L'angiographie tomodensitométrique fournit un diagnostic préopératoire précis et permet une planification chirurgicale.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).