Outi Laitinen-Vapaavuori

Force platform analysis in clinically healthy Rottweilers: comparison with Labrador Retrievers.

OBJECTIVE To (1) report ground reaction forces for healthy Rottweilers at a trot and (2) compare force platform data with values obtained for healthy Labradors. STUDY DESIGN Prospective, clinical study. ANIMALS Adult Rottweilers (n=9) and Labrador Retrievers (12) without orthopedic abnormalities. METHODS Dogs were trotted over a force platform at controlled speed and acceleration. Peak vertical and craniocaudal forces, associated impulses, stance time, rising, and falling slopes were analyzed and forces, impulses, and slopes were expressed as percentages of body weight. The effects of weight and anatomic measurements on force platform values were re-evaluated with analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). RESULTS In Rottweilers, peak vertical forces in thoracic limbs were significantly lower and vertical impulses in thoracic and pelvic limbs were significantly higher than in Labradors. Rising and falling slopes in thoracic and pelvic limbs were significantly smaller in Rottweilers. Body weight and anatomic measurements were significantly larger in Rottweilers. After removing the effect of relative velocity, functional limb length, and body weight by using ANCOVA, there were no significant differences between breeds. CONCLUSIONS Ground reaction forces were significantly different between Rottweilers and Labradors when using standard methods of normalization. Based on ANCOVA differences were attributable to difference in conformation and body weight between breeds. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Conformation and body weight have a significant influence on force platform values and this may cause bias when study results are compared.

Intra-articular botulinum toxin A for the treatment of osteoarthritic joint pain in dogs: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of intra-articular (IA) botulinum toxin A (IA BoNT A) for the treatment of osteoarthritic joint pain in dogs. The study was a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blinded clinical trial with parallel group design and 12-week follow-up. Thirty-six dogs with chronic lameness due to stifle, hip or elbow osteoarthritis were randomized to receive an IA injection of 30IU of BoNT A or placebo. The main outcome variables were vertical impulse (VI) and peak vertical force (PVF) measured with a force platform, and Helsinki chronic pain index (HCPI). Subjective pain score and the need for rescue analgesics were secondary variables. The response to treatment was assessed as the change from baseline to each examination week. The variables were analyzed by ANOVA with repeated measurements and results were considered statistically significant if P ⩽ 0.05. The improvement from baseline to 12 weeks after baseline was statistically significant in VI, PVF and HCPI in the treatment group (P=0.001, P=0.054 and P=0.053, respectively). Additionally, there were statistically significant improvements in VI in the treatment group at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after baseline (P=0.037, P=0.016 and P=0.016, respectively). The difference between groups in improvement in VI was statistically significant at 12weeks after baseline (P=0.005). There was no significant change in the subjective pain score or in the requirement for rescue analgesics in either group. No major adverse events thought to be related to trial protocol were detected. These results suggest that IA BoNT A has some efficacy in reducing osteoarthritic pain in dogs.

Use of an owner questionnaire to evaluate long-term surgical outcome and chronic pain after cranial cruciate ligament repair in dogs: 253 cases (2004-2006)

OBJECTIVE To evaluate, by means of an owner questionnaire, long-term outcome and prevalence of chronic pain after cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) surgery in dogs. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 253 dogs with surgically treated CCL rupture. PROCEDURES Data from surgical records of dogs that underwent surgical repair of CCL between 2004 and 2006 were reviewed. An owner questionnaire, including the validated Helsinki chronic pain index (HCPI), served to evaluate long-term outcome and prevalence of chronic pain after surgical repair by means of intracapsular, extracapsular, or osteotomy techniques. Additional questions inquired about recovery and rehabilitation after surgery, current well-being, medications, and adjunct treatments. RESULTS Of 507 questionnaires, 272 (53.6%) were returned; 19 were excluded because of incomplete answers. Mean ± SD follow-up time was 2.7 ± 0.8 years (range, 1.3 to 4.5 years). Owners considered surgical outcome as excellent in 122 of 226 (54.0%) dogs, good in 97 (42.9%), fair in 0 (0%), and poor in 7 (3.1%). At follow-up, the mean ± SD HCPI for 206 dogs was 8.9 ± 6.3 (range, 0 to 24). Of these 206 dogs, 64 (31.1%) had an HCPI ≥ 12, indicating chronic pain. Mean HCPI in dogs with a good outcome (11.8 ± 5.4; 95% confidence interval, 10.6 to 12.9) was significantly higher than that for dogs with an excellent outcome (6.2 ± 5.7; 95% confidence interval, 5.1 to 7.2). Owner-reported postoperative lameness was significantly shorter after osteotomy techniques, compared with lameness duration after the intracapsular technique. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE On the basis of owner assessment, long-term chronic pain was found in approximately 30% of dogs after CCL repair.

An un-commissioned randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind study to test the effect of deep sea fish oil as a pain reliever for dogs suffering from canine OA

BackgroundAn un-commissioned randomized, double-blinded, placebo controlled clinical study was planned using a deep sea fish oil product for pets. Seventy-seven client-owned dogs with osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to supplement the food with either the fish oil product or corn (=placebo) oil. Our main outcome variables were force platform variables peak vertical force (PVF) and impulse, the validated Helsinki Chronic Pain Index (HCPI) and the use of rescue NSAIDs. Secondary outcome variables were a locomotion visual analog scale (VAS), a Quality of life VAS, a comparative questionnaire, a veterinary assessment, owners’ final assessment of outcome and guessing the product given.ResultsWhen comparing the two test groups at the end of the trial (16 weeks) there was no significant difference in any of the main outcome variables but owners of dogs that had taken fish oil were significantly happier with the treatment at the end visit and did significantly better at guessing what group their dogs had been in, compared to the placebo group. When comparing variables within the fish oil group as change from baseline to trial end, there were significant positive changes in PVF, HCPI, NSAID use, Quality of life VAS, as well as in all three scores in the comparative questionnaire (locomotion, every-day situations, and skin & coat). There were similar positive trends in force platform impulse and in the veterinary assessment variables, although they did not reach significance. Within the placebo group there were significant positive changes only in the HCPI and a significant deterioration according to veterinary assessment.ConclusionsWhen compared to placebo, there was not a major statistically significant benefit in using deep sea fish oil as a pain reliever in our study population of dogs suffering from osteoarthritis. However, the fish oil treated patients improved significantly in many of the variables, when comparing baseline values to the study-end values within the group, indicating a true but small relief in symptoms. Deep sea fish oil supplementation could be considered a part of the multimodal pain relieving approach currently recommended for dogs suffering from OA, especially for individuals that do not tolerate anti-inflammatory drugs.

Long-term functional outcome after surgical repair of cranial cruciate ligament disease in dogs

BackgroundCranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture is a very common cause of pelvic limb lameness in dogs. Few studies, using objective and validated outcome evaluation methods, have been published to evaluate long-term (>1 year) outcome after CCL repair. A group of 47 dogs with CCL rupture treated with intracapsular, extracapsular, and osteotomy techniques, and 21 healthy control dogs were enrolled in this study. To evaluate long-term surgical outcome, at a minimum of 1.5 years after unilateral CCL surgery, force plate, orthopedic, radiographic, and physiotherapeutic examinations, including evaluation of active range of motion (AROM), symmetry of thrust from the ground, symmetry of muscle mass, and static weight bearing (SWB) of pelvic limbs, and goniometry of the stifle and tarsal joints, were done.ResultsAt a mean of 2.8 ± 0.9 years after surgery, no significant differences were found in average ground reaction forces or SWB between the surgically treated and control dog limbs, when dogs with no other orthopedic findings were included (n = 21). However, in surgically treated limbs, approximately 30% of the dogs had decreased static or dynamic weight bearing when symmetry of weight bearing was evaluated, 40-50% of dogs showed limitations of AROM in sitting position, and two-thirds of dogs had weakness in thrust from the ground. The stifle joint extension angles were lower (P <0.001) and flexion angles higher (P <0.001) in surgically treated than in contralateral joints, when dogs with no contralateral stifle problems were included (n = 33). In dogs treated using the intracapsular technique, the distribution percentage per limb of peak vertical force (DPVF) in surgically treated limbs was significantly lower than in dogs treated with osteotomy techniques (P =0.044).ConclusionsThe average long-term dynamic and static weight bearing of the surgically treated limbs returned to the level of healthy limbs. However, extension and flexion angles of the surgically treated stifles remained inferior to healthy joints, and impairment of AROM and weakness in thrust from the ground in the surgically treated limbs were frequently present. Ground reaction forces may be inadequate as a sole method for assessing functional outcome after cranial cruciate ligament repair.

Behavioral Abnormalities in Lagotto Romagnolo Dogs with a History of Benign Familial Juvenile Epilepsy: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study

Background Lagotto Romagnolo (LR) dogs with benign juvenile epilepsy syndrome often experience spontaneous remission of seizures. The long‐term outcome in these dogs currently is unknown. In humans, behavioral and psychiatric comorbidities have been reported in pediatric and adult‐onset epilepsies. Hypothesis/Objectives The objectives of this study were to investigate possible neurobehavioral comorbidities in LR with a history of benign familial juvenile epilepsy (BFJE) and to assess the occurrence of seizures after the remission of seizures in puppyhood. Animals A total of 25 LR with a history of BFJE and 91 control dogs of the same breed. Methods Owners of the LR dogs in the BFJE and control groups completed an online questionnaire about each dogs activity, impulsivity, and inattention. Principal component analysis (PCA) served to extract behavioral factors from the data. We then compared the scores of these factors between the 2 groups in a retrospective case–control study. We also interviewed all dog owners in the BFJE group by telephone to inquire specifically about possible seizures or other neurological problems after remission of seizures as a puppy. Results Lagotto Romagnolo dogs with BFJE showed significantly higher scores on the factors Inattention and Excitability/Impulsivity than did the control group (P = .003; P = .021, respectively). Only 1 of the 25 BFJE LR exhibited seizures after remission of epilepsy in puppyhood. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Although the long‐term seizure outcome in BFJE LR seems to be good, the dogs exhibit behavioral abnormalities resembling attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in humans, thus suggesting neurobehavioral comorbidities with epilepsy.

Topiramate as an add-on antiepileptic drug in treating refractory canine idiopathic epilepsy.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy and safety of topiramate as an add-on therapy in dogs with refractory idiopathic epilepsy. METHOD Prospective, open label, non-comparative clinical trial of topiramate in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy and poor seizure control despite therapeutic serum concentrations of phenobarbital and potassium bromide. The efficacy of topiramate was evaluated by comparing seizure and seizure day frequencies during a retrospective 2-month period with a prospective short-term follow-up of 6 months. An additional long-term follow-up period ranging from 3 to 9 months was conducted on dogs that responded to topiramate therapy during the short-term follow-up. RESULTS Ten dogs were included. Five (50%) responded to topiramate therapy during the short-term follow-up showing a significant (P=0·04) decrease of 66% in seizure frequency. Three of the five dogs remained responders during the long-term follow-up. Weight loss, sedation and ataxia were the most common adverse effects of topiramate therapy, but in dogs with moderate sedation or ataxia, signs subsided in a few weeks to few months to mild sedation or ataxia. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Topiramate may be effective as an add-on medication in treating canine idiopathic epilepsy. Apart from sedation and ataxia reported in some of the dogs, topiramate was well-tolerated.

Use of bathroom scales in measuring asymmetry of hindlimb static weight bearing in dogs with osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE The study assessed the use and reliability of bathroom scales as an objective measurement tool, and setting a normal variance of static weight bearing between hindlimbs. METHODS Two groups of dogs were tested: a healthy control group (n = 21) and a group (n = 43) of dogs with confirmed osteoarthritis in at least one stifle joint, with or without hip joint osteoarthritis. Static weight bearing was evaluated manually and measured with two bathroom scales. An orthopaedic examination was done and dynamic weight bearing was measured using a force platform. Radiographs were taken to confirm the presence of osteoarthritis, and dogs were divided into groups of severe and non-severe osteo- arthritic changes. Reliability by repeatability was tested using analysis of variance, and the congruity between static weight bearing and other evaluation methods with Kappa statistics and proportion of agreement. RESULTS The difference between the hindlimbs proportional to the body weight in control dogs was 3.3% (± 2.7%). The repeatability of measuring static weight bearing in the hindlimbs of osteoarthritic dogs with bathroom scales was 81% with osteoarthritic limbs, and 70% for unaffected limbs. The sensitivity of static weight bearing measurements using bathroom scales was 39% and specificity 85%. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Bathroom scales are a reliable, simple, and cost-effective objective method for measuring static weight bearing and can be used as an outcome measure when rehabilitating dogs with osteoarthritic changes in the hindlimbs.

Evaluation of accuracy of the Finnish elbow dysplasia screening protocol in Labrador retrievers

OBJECTIVE To determine whether the current Finnish screening method using a single flexed mediolateral view as scored by osteophyte is sufficient to diagnose mild elbow dysplasia in Labrador retrievers and to determine if an additional craniocaudal oblique projection would result in improvement in the screening protocol. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirteen dogs with one mildly affected elbow joint and one elbow joint without radiological evidence of osteophytes were studied. Radiographic and computed tomography studies were performed and the results compared with each other. RESULTS Medial compartment disease was observed in 14 of 26 joints based on computed tomography. The sensitivity and specificity of the grading based mainly on osteoarthritis was 79 and 92%, respectively. A strong association existed between elbow dysplasia based on computed tomography and medial humeral epicondylar osteophytes on the craniocaudal projection. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE A single mediolateral flexed radiograph is reliable in diagnosing mild elbow dysplasia in Labrador retrievers. However, the craniocaudal oblique projection increases the specificity of the diagnosis, and it is proposed that it be included in the radiographic protocol in this breed.

Alternative classification and screening protocol for transitional lumbosacral vertebra in German shepherd dogs

BackgroundLumbosacral transitional vertebra (LTV) is a common congenital and hereditary anomaly in many dog breeds. It predisposes to premature degeneration of the lumbosacral junction, and is a frequent cause of cauda equina syndrome, especially in German shepherd dogs. Ventrodorsal hip radiographs are most often used in diagnosis of LTV in screening programs. In this study, value of laterolateral lumbar spine radiographs as additions to ventrodorsal radiographs in diagnosis of LTV, and characteristics of LTV and the eighth lumbar vertebra (L8) in laterolateral radiographs were studied. Additionally, computed tomography (CT) features of different types of LTV were elucidated.MethodsThe ventrodorsal pelvic and laterolateral lumbar spine radiographs of 228 German shepherd dogs were evaluated for existence and type of LTV. Morphology of transverse processes was used in classification of LTV in ventrodorsal radiographs. The relative length of sixth (L6) and seventh (L7) vertebrae (L6/L7) was used in characterization of these vertebrae in laterolateral radiographs. CT studies were available for 16 dogs, and they were used for more detailed characterization of different types of LTV. Non-parametric χ2 statistics, generalized logit model for multinomial data, and one-way analysis of variance was used for statistical analyses.ResultsIn all, 92 (40%) dogs had a LTV, the most common type being separation of first spinous process from the median crest of the sacrum in 62 dogs (67% of LTV). Eight dogs had eight lumbar vertebrae. Those dogs with LTV had longer L7 in relation to L6 than dogs with normal lumbosacral junctions. When L6/L7 decreased by 0.1 units, the proportion of dogs belonging to the group with L8 was 14-fold higher than in the group with normal lumbosacral junctions. L8 resembled first sacral vertebra (S1) in length and position and was therefore classified as one type of LTV. With CT it was shown that categorizing LTV, based on shape and visibility of transverse processes seen in ventrodorsal radiographs, could be misleading.ConclusionsWe suggest that L8 be included as a part of the LTV complex, and the laterolateral radiographs of the lumbar spine be considered as an addition to ventrodorsal projections in the screening protocols for LTV.