Physical Rehabilitation for Small Animals.

Physical rehabilitation incorporates several elements, including but not limited to therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, and physical modalities. Understanding of the effects, indications, contraindications, and precautions is essential for proper use, while understanding of the diagnosis, assessment of the stage of tissue healing and repair, and accurate clinical assessment of the functional limitations are essential when establishing a physical rehabilitation plan.

Serum cannabidiol, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and their native acid derivatives after transdermal application of a low-THC Cannabis sativa extract in beagles.

Cannabinoids hold promise for treating health problems related to inflammation and chronic pain in dogs, in particular cannabidiol (CBD), and its native acid derivative cannabidiolic acid (CBDA). Information regarding systemic delivery of cannabinoids through transdermal routes is sparse. The purpose of this study was to determine pharmacokinetics of transdermal administration of a low-THC Cannabis sativa extract in healthy dogs. Six purpose-bred research beagles were treated with a transdermal CBD-CBDA-rich extract, and serum concentrations of CBD, CBDA, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and its acid derivative tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) were examined prior to and at the end of weeks 1 and 2. A 4 mg/kg dose of total cannabinoids twice daily resulted in appx 10 ng/ml of CBD, 21-32 ng/ml of CBDA, trace amounts of THCA, and unquantifiable amounts of THC in serum at the end of weeks 1 and 2 of treatment. Results showed that CBDA and THCA were absorbed better systemically than CBD or THC.

Internet survey of feeding, dietary supplement, and rehabilitative medical management use in flyball dogs.

A survey was designed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of feeding, dietary supplement use, and rehabilitative management use in flyball dogs. The survey was completed by 394 respondents. There were 12.5% (n = 49/392) and 33.4% (n = 131/392) of owners who fed home-cooked and raw diets, respectively, to their dogs. About 77.7% (n = 306/394) and 56.6% (n = 223/394) of owners used dietary supplement and rehabilitative management, respectively, primarily joint supplements (89.8%, n = 275/306) and chiropractic (73.1%, n = 163/223). Owners were more likely to use supplements (P = 0.0002) and rehabilitative management (P = 0.0001) when their dogs were injured. Dogs with more than one reported injury received rehabilitative management (P < 0.0001) and used supplement (P = 0.0006) more often. Key clinical message: There is considerable demand for non-commercial food, supplements, and rehabilitative management among flyball dog owners, underscoring the importance for veterinarians to understand the motivation of dog owners' decisions as well as the risks and benefits of these practices to ensure optimal outcomes for their patients.

Sondage par internet sur l'alimentation, les suppléments nutritifs et la gestion médicale de réadaptation de chiens pratiquant le flyball. Un sondage a été élaboré afin d'étudier la prévalence et les caractéristiques de l'alimentation, l'utilisation de suppléments nutritifs et la gestion de l'utilisation de la réadaptation chez les chiens pratiquant le flyball, Le sondage fut complété par 394 répondants. Il y avait 12,5 % (n = 49/392) et 33,4 % (n = 131/392) des propriétaires qui nourrissaient leurs chiens avec une alimentation cuite maison et une alimentation crue, respectivement. Environ 77,7 % (n = 306/394) et 56,6 % (n = 223/394) des propriétaires utilisaient des suppléments nutritifs et une gestion de réadaptation, respectivement, principalement des suppléments articulaires (89,8 %, n = 275/306) et de la chiropractie (73,1 %, n = 163/223). Les propriétaires étaient plus enclins à utiliser des suppléments (P = 0,0002) et une gestion de réadaptation (P = 0,0001) lorsque leurs chiens étaient blessés. Les chiens avec plus d'une blessure rapportée ont reçu une gestion de réadaptation (P < 0,0001) et utilisaient des suppléments (P = 0,0006) plus souvent.Message clinique clé:Il y a une demande considérable pour des aliments non-commerciaux, des suppléments et une gestion de la réadaptation chez les propriétaires de chiens pratiquant le flyball, soulignant l'importance pour les vétérinaires de comprendre la motivation des propriétaires de chiens dans leurs décisions aussi bien que les risques et bénéfices de ces pratiques afin d'assurer les meilleurs résultats pour leurs patients.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Assessment of a Single Intra-Articular Stifle Injection of Pure Platelet Rich Plasma on Symmetry Indices in Dogs with Unilateral or Bilateral Stifle Osteoarthritis from Long-Term Medically Managed Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease.

PURPOSE: The use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to treat canine osteoarthritis has gained support within the scientific community. PRP effects on pain control for degenerative joint disease induced by naturally occurring cranial cruciate ligament instability are limited, particularly in a cohort of dogs with chronic instability and osteoarthritis (>12 months), representing a commonly encountered clinical population that often defaults to medical management. The goal of this study was to assess the effects of a single intra-articular PRP injection into an effected stifle in this cohort, to assess response to treatment, quantitative kinetic data as it relates to percent body weight for peak vertical force (PVF) and vertical impulse (VI) were collected, and symmetry indices related to PVF were determined. METHODS: Twelve dogs with unilateral or bilateral osteoarthritis with ruptured, non-stabilized cranial cruciate ligaments over 12 months duration were identified. Unilateral injections of 2.5 mL of a PRP preparation into the most severely affected stifle based on kinetic analysis was performed. Repeat pressure-sensitive walkway analysis was conducted monthly for 3 months. Peak vertical force (PVF) and vertical impulse (VI) were normalized to body weight and identified in all four limbs. Previously published symmetry indices regarding PVF were calculated, comparing the treated limb with the contralateral limb, ipsilateral forelimb, and contralateral forelimb. RESULTS: After treatment, hind limb symmetry index (SI) regarding PVF showed improved symmetry, suggesting more weight placement at all-time points after injection of the most affected limb (p < 0.01). Further, PVF asymmetry indices assessing contralateral fore (CFL) and hind limb (CHL) as well as ipsilateral forelimb (IFL) revealing a significant decrease from baseline for CHL at week 4 (p = 0.02), but not weeks 8 and 12. The CFL showed decreased differences in symmetry from baseline at each time point (p = 0.03). There were no statistically significant changes in PVF or VI over time in treated dogs. CONCLUSION: A single injection of PRP improved kinetics for minimally 4 weeks with some data suggesting an effect for up to 12 weeks. Therefore, PRP might be a viable therapeutic option for instability and inflammation associated with chronic osteoarthritis due to cranial cruciate ligament disease in the non-surgical patient.

Internet Survey of Participant Demographics and Risk Factors for Injury in Flyball Dogs.

Background: Injury risk in canine sprinting sports, such as greyhound racing and agility, have been previously documented through various surveys. Flyball, another sprinting canine sport with similar athletic requirements to agility, has yet to be assessed for factors associated with injury. The aim of this study was to determine injury prevalence and assess for risk factors for injury in flyball dogs. Methods: Survey data from 375 flyball participants was collected and analyzed. Data collected included patient-specific variables, equipment use, training/competition practices, and injury occurrence and localization. Univariate analysis was utilized for all variables of interest, followed by backwards nominal logistic regression to identify variables associated with increased risk of injury, with a p < 0.05 defined as significant. Results: Thirty-nine percent of dogs incurred at least one injury with 172 injuries reported. Injuries to the limbs were common (30.8% affecting forelimbs, 25.6% affecting hindlimbs), with the paw or nail the most frequently reported injured area (19.2%). Only protective wrap use and age were significantly associated with injury in the final nominal regression model (p < 0.01). A biphasic injury rate with more injuries in younger dogs was observed, and injuries peaked by 6 years of age. Use of carpal wraps was positively associated with increased injury risk. Conclusions: These findings suggest an association between younger dogs and greater risk of injury, as well as identify a need to further investigate the utilization of wraps and potential association between injury risk among flyball participants.

Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine basic oral pharmacokinetics, and assess safety and analgesic efficacy of a cannabidiol (CBD) based oil in dogs with osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: Single-dose pharmacokinetics was performed using two different doses of CBD enriched (2 and 8 mg/kg) oil. Thereafter, a randomized placebo-controlled, veterinarian, and owner blinded, cross-over study was conducted. Dogs received each of two treatments: CBD oil (2 mg/kg) or placebo oil every 12 h. Each treatment lasted for 4 weeks with a 2-week washout period. Baseline veterinary assessment and owner questionnaires were completed before initiating each treatment and at weeks 2 and 4. Hematology, serum chemistry and physical examinations were performed at each visit. A mixed model analysis, analyzing the change from enrollment baseline for all other time points was utilized for all variables of interest, with a p ≤ 0.05 defined as significant. Results: Pharmacokinetics revealed an elimination half-life of 4.2 h at both doses and no observable side effects. Clinically, canine brief pain inventory and Hudson activity scores showed a significant decrease in pain and increase in activity (p < 0.01) with CBD oil. Veterinary assessment showed decreased pain during CBD treatment (p < 0.02). No side effects were reported by owners, however, serum chemistry showed an increase in alkaline phosphatase during CBD treatment (p < 0.01). Clinical significance: This pharmacokinetic and clinical study suggests that 2 mg/kg of CBD twice daily can help increase comfort and activity in dogs with OA.

Adhesive Capsulitis in Eight Dogs: Diagnosis and Management.

OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical and diagnostic findings as well as management of adhesive capsulitis in dogs. BACKGROUND: Adhesive capsulitis, also known as frozen shoulder, is a syndrome defined by loss of range of motion of the shoulder and may be the end-stage manifestation of several primary conditions. EVIDENTIARY VALUE: This is a case series report of eight dogs with chronic forelimb lameness diagnosed with adhesive capsulitis. METHODS: Medical records (June 1, 2010-September 1, 2015) including, physical examination findings, radiographic findings, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, arthroscopy findings, and treatment plans were reviewed. RESULTS: All dogs presented with a chronic, grade III-VI/VI forelimb lameness. On orthopedic examination, all dogs had moderate to significant discomfort on shoulder extension and flexion and severe restriction of range of motion. Six of the eight dogs had evidence of bone remodeling and sclerosis in the affected shoulder on radiographs. Six of the dogs had an initial diagnostic ultrasound performed, which revealed evidence of fibrous scar tissue. Five dogs had MRI performed that revealed moderate shoulder effusion and enhancement of the synovial lining of the shoulder. Arthroscopy was performed in five of the eight patients. Three were noted to have significant contracture, adhesions, and fibrous scar tissue of the joint capsule. Severe inflammation was noted throughout the synovium of two patients. All eight patients tried conservative management consisting of oral medications and rehabilitation therapy. Five of the eight patients received extracorporeal shockwave therapy. Three patients received regenerative medicine treatment in the affected supraspinatus and shoulder. Regardless of the treatment elected, none of the dogs were reported to have significant improvement. CONCLUSION: Adhesive capsulitis is an uncommon cause of chronic forelimb lameness. Further investigation is needed to describe the etiology and pathogenesis of adhesive capsulitis in dogs to evaluate the effectiveness of both non-surgical and surgical treatment modalities, establish treatment protocols, and evaluate short- and long-term clinical outcome of patients. APPLICATION: Adhesive capsulitis should be considered in patients with chronic forelimb lameness and moderate to significant discomfort and restriction on shoulder range of motion.