A survey on the orthopedic and functional assessment in a Portuguese population of police working dogs.

BACKGROUND: Working dogs are at an increased risk of developing an orthopedic disease compared to companion dogs. This study aimed to evaluate functional and orthopedic index fitness in a Portuguese population of police working dogs. In an observational, prospective study, information on 165 dogs was collected. The age, sex, breed, specific work, and history of previous diagnosis of orthopedic disease were recorded for each patient. A copy of the Canine Orthopedic Index (COI), Hudson Visual Analogue Scale (HVAS), and Functional Assessment (FA) was collected for all dogs. COI, HVAS, and FA scores between breeds, work, age, sex, and history of a previous diagnosis of orthopedic disease were compared. Multiple regression was run to predict COI, HVAS, and FA scores from breeds, work, age, sex, and history of orthopedic disease. Correlations between items were determined with Pearson's correlation. A p < 0.05 was set. RESULTS: The sample was composed of 92 males and 73 females, with a mean age of 5.2 ± 3.2 years. Four main dog breeds were represented, 60 Belgian Malinois Shepherd Dogs, 52 German Shepherd Dogs, 29 Labrador Retrievers, and 14 Dutch Shepherd Dog. A prevalence of diarrhea of 10.6% was determined, with 4% of dogs having liquid diarrhea. German Shepherd Dogs had significantly higher FA scores (p = 0.03). Dogs with a history of previous veterinary assistance due to orthopedic issues had significantly lower HVAS scores and higher scores with all remaining questionnaires (p < 0.01 for all). No differences were found between sexes or specific work. Age and a history of orthopedic disease contributed to the prediction of all scores. FA scores had a good correlation with COI and HVAS. CONCLUSION: This population of police working dogs has a good to excellent level of physical fitness. There was a relationship between increasing age, history of orthopedic disease, and worse scores with all questionnaires. All considered questionnaires could differentiate between animals with a previous history of orthopedic disease and sound dogs.

Management of Osteoarthritis Using 1 Intra-articular Platelet Concentrate Administration in a Canine Osteoarthritis Model.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) represents a significant burden to societies, as it affects quality of life and performance and implies a large cost in terms of health care. Autologous platelets are a regenerative treatment modality for OA that are thought to be a potential stimulation of the natural healing cascade. PURPOSE: To describe the effect of the platelet concentrate V-PET in the management of OA in a naturally occurring canine model, using several outcome assessment modalities. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: A total of 40 joints of active working police dogs with hip OA were randomly assigned to a control group (CG) and a platelet concentrate group (PCG; treatment) and evaluated. At treatment day (T0) and 8, 15, 30, 90, and 180 days after treatment, weight distribution, joint range of motion at flexion and extension, thigh girth, digital thermography, radiographic signs, 4 clinical metrology instruments, and synovial fluid interleukin 1 and C-reactive protein levels were recorded. Results were compared using repeated-measures analysis of variance with a Huynh-Feldt correction, paired-samples t test, or Wilcoxon signed rank test, with P < .05. RESULTS: Dogs were 6.5 ± 2.4 years old (mean ± SD) and had a body weight of 26.7 ± 5.2 kg. At T0, 32 (80%) joints were graded as having mild OA, 6 (15%) as moderate, and 2 (5%) as severe. No differences were found between groups at T0. Between the PCG and CG, the symmetry index showed significant improvements in the PCG from 8 days (P = .01) to 180 days (P = .01). Joint flexion also improved in the PCG up to 90 days (P < .05) and extension improved up to 180 days (P < .01). Several clinical metrology instrument scores also improved up to 90 to 180 days after treatment. In the CG, radiographic signs progressed, while the PCG showed some improved signs. In both groups, increasing body weight and age corresponded with worse clinical and laboratory findings. CONCLUSION: A single injection of platelet concentrate had a positive effect, lasting up to 6 months, on several clinical, imaging, and laboratory signs in a naturally occurring canine OA model. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: We characterized the effects of this platelet concentrate in dogs, considered the gold standard of the study of OA, with a group of working animals with similar high demands as athletes.

Thermographic imaging of police working dogs with bilateral naturally occurring hip osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Digital thermal imaging is a physiologic, non-invasive, contactless, and non-radiating diagnostic tool that can assess a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including hip osteoarthritis (HOA). Fifty police working dogs were evaluated to compare the dorsoventral (DV) and lateral (LT) thermographic images in dogs with naturally occurring bilateral HOA. A DV, and left and right lateral LT images were obtained for each animal in six different moments. They were positioned standing in a symmetrical upright position for the DV view. Each image included the area from the last lumbar to the first coccygeal vertebrae. Each LT view was set with the greater trochanter in the centre of the image. Images were taken with a thermographic camera from a distance of 60 cm. Mean and maximal temperatures were recorded, analyzed with ANOVA, dependent samples t-test, and Spearman correlation, with P < 0.05. RESULTS: Nine hundred images were considered, collected from 30 males and 20 females, with a mean age of 6.5 ± 2.2 years and bodyweight of 26.7 ± 5.3 kg. The overall value recorded on the DV view was 25.3º ± 9.1 and 28.4º ± 2.8 on the lateral view. These were significantly different (P < 0.01) and with a low correlation (r = 0.10, P = 0.03). German Shepard dogs showed significantly lower values on all views than other breeds (P < 0.01), and heavier dogs had higher values on the lateral view. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study that describes digital thermography's diagnostic use to evaluate working dogs with naturally occurring HOA, comparing two different views. Future studies should address each one's value in the diagnosis and response to treatment of this disease.