Timed up and go demonstrates strong interrater agreement and criterion validity as a functional test in geriatric dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To measure interobserver agreement for 4 functional tasks and their summed geriatric functional score (GFS) and correlate tasks and GFS with client-specific outcome measurements (CSOMs): Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI) pain severity, CBPI pain interference, and Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs. ANIMALS: 89 geriatric dogs were recruited between April and September 2023 from staff, friends, and clients of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine with a median age of 11.0 years and weight of 26.4 kg. METHODS: Dogs underwent 4 sequential functional tests: timed up and go (TUG), cavallettis, figure 8s, and down to stands. Two observers independently scored each dog. The GFS was calculated based on the summed scores of the individual tests. Additional information collected included signalment, weight, measurements reflecting the comorbidities of aging (body condition score and muscle condition score), and CSOMs. RESULTS: Strong interrater agreement was found for all functional tests. The TUG in seconds (sTUG) and figure 8s demonstrated significant (P < .05) moderate to strong correlations to all CSOMs. The GFS showed similar significant correlations with all CSOMs except CBPI pain severity; however, when correlating individual tests to CSOMs, only figure 8s and TUG were significantly contributing to GFS results. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis defined highly functional dogs as those completing the sTUG in under 3.83 seconds. The sTUG represented the best test for geriatric function given it was objective, reliable, correlated well to CSOMs, and could help identify highly functioning dogs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The sTUG appears to be the first practical and reliable functional test of canine geriatric mobility.

Literature review details and supports the application of platelet-rich plasma products in canine medicine, particularly as an orthobiologic agent for osteoarthritis.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and other platelet-derived products represent a subset of regenerative medicine and have been researched in the veterinary community for the treatment of osteoarthritis, soft tissue wounds, tendinopathies, periodontitis, and fracture repairs. PRP is simple to produce, relatively affordable, safe, and can be delivered on site, making it an appealing therapeutic agent in veterinary medicine. As an orthobiologic for the treatment of osteoarthritis, it is one of few interventions with clinical study support that possess anabolic potential. Platelet product variability is wide ranging and often described in terms of cellular content or platelet enrichment. Growth factors associated with platelet activation and subsequent degranulation may mediate inflammation, modulate cellular immune response, and promote tissue repair. Product composition, dosage, and application likely influence treatment outcomes depending on the classification of the disease targeted. Sufficient canine data regarding the formulation and clinical application of canine PRP exist to warrant review. The aim of this narrative is to provide scientific background and clinical insight for veterinarians regarding platelet product content/formulation, mechanisms of action, considerations for use, and clinical application in dogs.

Interactions Between Biologic Therapies and Other Treatment Modalities.

Biologic therapies are becoming increasingly utilized by veterinarians. The literature regarding the interaction of biologic therapies with other therapeutics is still in its infancy. Initial studies have examined the effects of exercise, stress, various pharmaceutical interventions, extracorporeal shockwave, therapeutic laser, and hyperbaric oxygen on biologic therapies. Continued research is imperative as owners and veterinarians increasingly choose a multimodal approach to injury and illness. Further, understanding the effects of concurrently administered treatments and pharmaceuticals as well as the health status of the horse is imperative to providing the optimal therapeutic outcome.

Retrospective analysis describes safety of therapeutic joint injections in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively investigate the safety of canine therapeutic IA injections, describing and correlating adverse events with the number of injections per visit, joint injected, signalment, body condition score, type, and volume of injectate. SAMPLE: There were 505 joint injections across 283 visits for 178 client-owned dogs, including the shoulder, elbow, carpus, hip, stifle, tarsus, and metacarpophalangeal. PROCEDURES: A search was performed of the Cornell University Hospital for Animals medical records for relevant data, identifying dogs treated with therapeutic joint injections and rechecked between 2010 and 2022. RESULTS: Minor complications were noted in 70 of 283 visits and included transient soreness (18.4%, lasting a median of 2 days; range, 1 to 20 days) and gastroenteritis (6.8%). One case of septic arthritis (1/505 joints), which possessed risks of a hematogenous source, was the only potential major complication. Soreness was not correlated with the number of joints injected per visit. Larger volumes of injectate normalized to body size were more likely to be associated with transient soreness in the stifle and tarsus. Across injectates, only stem cells had significantly increased odds of soreness. Gastroenteritis was not associated with the type of injectate. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Therapeutic joint injections in dogs are safe, with an extremely low risk of major adverse effects. Transient soreness is a commonly expected minor adverse event. The use of stem cells or larger injectate volumes (confined to the stifle and smaller distal joints) may be more likely to invoke discomfort.

Serum myostatin decreases in exercising and aging Alaskan sled dogs, while growth and differentiation factor 15 remains unaltered.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the serum concentrations of myostatin and growth and differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) in Alaskan Husky sled dogs participating in a 350-mile (560-km) race and in an older population, and to examine correlations between changes in serum concentrations and body condition scores (BCSs). ANIMALS: Dogs were recruited from 3 teams of Alaskan Huskies participating in the Alaskan-Yukon Quest sled-dog race and retirees from a research sled-dog colony. PROCEDURES: Serum samples and BCSs were collected prior to racing, midway, and postrace; and in an older cohort (13 to 14 years). Myostatin and GDF-15 concentrations were assessed using commercially available ELISA kits. RESULTS: The median myostatin prerace concentration (9,519 pg/mL) was significantly greater than the mid- and postrace concentrations (7,709 pg/mL and 3,247 pg/mL, respectively). The prerace concentration was also significantly greater than that of the retired sled group dogs at 6,134 pg/mL. GDF-15 median serum concentrations did not change significantly across any racing time point (approx 350 pg/mL) or in the older cohort. No significant correlations were observed between changes in BCS and myostatin or GDF-15 concentrations. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Serum myostatin decreases dramatically, yet no correlations to loss of BCS could be found. Myostatin signaling may be involved in maintaining hypertrophic signaling during intense exercise. Neither racing distance nor geriatric/retirement status appears to have an effect on serum GDF-15 concentration. Myostatin was less in the older, retired sled dogs compared to the younger racing cohort. Such differences highlight the roles that fitness level and age play regarding myostatin levels.

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.

Successful medical management and rehabilitation of exercise-induced dorsal scapular luxation in an ultramarathon endurance sled dog with magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis of grade II serratus ventralis strain.

Dorsal displacement of the scapula in dogs is rare and often traumatic. This report describes dorsal luxation of the scapula in a sled dog. This case is unique given the injury was sport-related. Magnetic resonance imaging helped direct therapy and monitor healing; and medical management with rehabilitation resulted in full recovery and return to sport. One year after injury, the dog completed both a 482 km and a 1600 km endurance race, placing among the leading teams in the 1600-km race.

Traitement médical réussi d'une luxation scapulaire dorsale aiguë secondaire à la pratique du sport d'endurance chez un chien de traîneau et diagnostic par IRM d'une lésion du m. dentelé ventral. Le déplacement dorsal de la scapula est rare chez le chien et souvent d'origine traumatique. Ce rapport décrit une luxation scapulaire dorsale aiguë chez un chien de traîneau à l'effort. L'intérêt de ce cas tient à sa cause, associé à la pratique de l'activité sportive; à l'analyse des changements en IRM soutenant une thérapie ciblée consistant en un support médical ainsi que d'un programme de rééducation physique, résultant en un rétablissement complet. Un an après cette blessure, le chien termina des courses d'endurance de 482 km et de 1600 km, se classant lors de cette dernière parmi les meilleures équipes de la course.(Traduit par les auteurs).

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.

Serum myoglobin, creatine kinase, and cell-free DNA in endurance sled dogs and sled dogs with clinical rhabdomyolysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether cell-free DNA (cfDNA) concentrations are increased in dogs with exertional rhabdomyolysis and whether concentrations are correlated with serum myoglobin concentration and creatine kinase activity. DESIGN: Observational cohort study. SETTING: Yukon Quest 1,000-mile International Sled Dog Race 2015. ANIMALS: Twelve normal competitive sled dogs; 5 dogs with rhabdomyolysis. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Blood was collected from all confirmed cases of exertional rhabdomyolysis and compared to the winning team at the midrace point. Results indicate that median cfDNA did not increase, but decreased by the race finish (prerace = 314.2 ng/mL versus midrace = 283.7 ng/mL versus postrace = 249.5 ng/mL). There were no rises in median cfDNA in dogs with rhabdomyolysis (255 ng/mL) negating its potential utility as a measure of acute skeletal muscle compromise. In contrast, myoglobin concentration and creatine kinase activity at the midrace point for normal dogs were significantly lower than dogs with rhabdomyolysis. Values for myoglobin and creatine kinase were strongly positively correlated (R = 0.91). CONCLUSIONS: cfDNA is not a useful biomarker for exertional rhabdomyolysis in contrast to myoglobin and creatine kinase. Further evaluation of timing and clinical signs suggests that exertional rhabdomyolysis occurs early in endurance activities. Among the dogs with rhabdomyolysis, the dog that demonstrated clinical signs had the highest serum creatine kinase activity and myoglobin concentration.

The effects of a post-exercise carbohydrate and protein supplement on repeat performance, serum chemistry, insulin and glucagon in competitive weight-pulling dogs.

The physiological demands of weight-pulling dogs have yet to be investigated. Two groups of competitive weight-pulling dogs both underwent two identical pull series 3 h apart. The control group (n 8) was compared with a group fed a rapidly digestible carbohydrate and protein supplement after the first pull series (n 9). Blood was drawn before and after each pull series as well as at 15 and 30 min after the first pull series finished. Biochemistry values remained unremarkable throughout the study in both groups regardless of supplementation or exercise over time. Lactic acid showed mild significant increases post-exercise (2·1 (sd 1·2) mmol/l) compared with baseline (1·4 (sd 0·3) mmol/l; P = 0·03) after the initial pull series. When examining the effects of time there was a significant increase in insulin from baseline (median of 10·8 (range 6·8-17·4) µIU/ml) compared with 30 min after supplementation (17·0 (range 8·1-33·0) µIU/ml) and at 3 h after supplementation (19·2 (range 9·7-53·4) µIU/ml). In the treatment group there was also a time effect, with glucagon being elevated from baseline (median of 100 (range 79-115) pg/ml) compared with 30 min after supplementation (114 (range 90-183) pg/ml) and after the second pull series (131 (range 107-152) pg/ml). Evaluation of each dog's ability to pull the same or greater amount of weight on the second pull series revealed no significant differences. In conclusion, weight-pulling dogs have mild elevations in lactate reflecting little anaerobic metabolism compared with other canine sprinting athletes; hormonal changes associated with carbohydrate absorption are reflected within the treatment group, and supplementation had no effect on performance.

Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 and Selected Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein Concentrations during an Ultramarathon Sled Dog Race.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of running a 1000-mile (1600 km) endurance sled dog race on serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins 1 and 3 (IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3). Serum was examined from 12 sled dogs prior to the race, at midrace (approximately 690 km), and again at the finish. IGF-1, IGFBP-1, and IGFBP-3 were assessed using radioimmunoassay or enzyme linked immune-absorbance assays. Mean prerace concentrations were significantly higher than midrace and end-race concentrations at 215.93 ± 80.51 ng/mL, 54.29 ± 25.45 ng/mL, and 55.53 ± 28.25 ng/mL, respectively (P < 0.001). Mean IGFBP-1 concentrations were not different across these time periods at 24.1 ± 15.8 ng/mL, 25.7 ± 14.0 ng/mL, and 26.6 ± 17.6 ng/mL, respectively. IGFBP-3 concentrations showed a modest significant decrease across time periods at 3,067 ± 2,792 ng/mL, 2,626 ± 2,310 ng/mL, and 2,331 ± 2,301 ng/mL, respectively (P < 0.01). Endurance sled dogs show a precipitous drop in serum IGF-1 concentrations. These differences may be related to fuel utilization and excessive negative energy balance associated with the loss of body condition during racing. The relative stability of IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3 suggests that IGF-1 anabolic signaling is diminished during ultramarathon racing. Further studies comparing the influence of time and duration of exercise versus negative energy balance on serum IGF-1 status are warranted to better understand exercise versus negative energy balance differences.

Obesity, Exercise and Orthopedic Disease.

Osteoarthritis is common among aging canine and feline patients. The incidence and severity of clinical lameness are closely correlated to body condition in overweight and obese patients. Excessive adiposity may result in incongruous and excessive mechanical loading that worsens clinical signs in affected patients. Data suggest a potential link between adipokines, obesity-related inflammation, and a worsening of the underlying pathology. Similarly, abnormal physical stress and generalized systemic inflammation propagated by obesity contribute to neurologic signs associated with intervertebral disc disease. Weight loss and exercise are critical to ameliorating the pain and impaired mobility of affected animals.

Peri-Surgical Nutrition: Perspectives and Perceptions.

Peri-surgical nutrition of veterinary patients is in its infancy, with considerable research to be performed to help improve quality of life in our small animal patients. Clues from human immunonutrition may be starting places for investigation. Considerations for future investigations should include essential nutrients, the underlying disease process, therapeutic goals, and species (dog or cat). There are guidelines for caloric requirements. Planning for nutritional support before surgery takes place is likely to be beneficial to patient outcomes. Taking into account case history, method of feeding, metabolic abnormalities, and possible immunonutrition should be part of a complete surgical nutritional plan.