Robert L. Gillette

Recent developments in canine locomotor analysis: A review

Subjective evaluation of canine gait has been used for many years. However, our ability to perceive minute details during the gait cycle can be difficult and in some respects impossible even for the most talented gait specialist. The evolution of computer technology in computer assisted gait analysis over the past 20 years has improved the ability to quantitatively define temporospatial gait characteristics. These technological advances and new developments in methodological approaches have assisted researchers and clinicians in gaining a better understanding of canine locomotion. The use of kinematic and kinetic analysis has been validated as a useful tool in veterinary medicine. This paper is an overview of the kinematic and kinetic analytical techniques of the last decade.

Hematologic, serum biochemical, and cortisol changes associated with anticipation of exercise and short duration high-intensity exercise in sled dogs.

BACKGROUND Many studies have demonstrated changes in clinicopathologic variables in response to exercise in athletic dogs. These changes have been attributed to the duration and intensity of exercise. However, inconsistencies in the timing of collection of resting blood samples can be a confounding variable when interpreting results. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study were to determine whether hematologic and biochemical data in sled dogs are influenced by (1) anticipation of an exercise event or (2) short-duration high-intensity exercise. METHODS Blood samples were collected into EDTA tubes and tubes without anticoagulant from sled dogs at rest, immediately before a 3-mile run (preexercise), and immediately after the run (postexercise). A CBC, biochemical profile (including electrolytes, glucose, proteins, creatinine, urea, enzymes, cholesterol, and total bilirubin), and serum cortisol concentration were measured using standard methods on automated analyzers. RESULTS Significant increases in sodium, chloride, albumin, calcium, and cortisol concentration were observed in preexercise samples when compared with resting samples. Hyperglycemia and a further rise in serum cortisol concentration occurred immediately postexercise. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicate that anticipation of exercise affects several biochemical analytes, emphasizing the importance of appropriate timing of baseline blood samples. The pronounced hyperglycemia immediately after short-duration exercise may be a breed- or exercise-dependent phenomenon.

The effects of exercise and diet on olfactory capability in detection dogs

A previous work suggests that dietary fat may influence canine olfaction. The present study evaluated whether olfactory performance could be influenced by forms of dietary fat and exercise. Seventeen certified detection dogs were fed three different diets (high fat, low fat or high polyunsaturated fat) for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, olfactory testing was performed using a scent wheel in an olfaction laboratory using three explosive materials. The dogs completed eight to twelve scent trials before and after a 30 min treadmill exercise on five consecutive days. A mixed-effect logistic regression model was used to examine how diet, pre- or post-exercise, trial number, odourant, mass of target and target position influenced the probability of dogs alerting on the target odour. There were no significant changes in the dogs ability to find a target odour at threshold amounts. Dogs were 1·42 (1·08, 1·87; 95 % CI) times as likely to find a target on the high polyunsaturated fat diet relative to the high-fat diet (P = 0·009). The low-fat diet was not significantly different from either the high-fat diet or the high polyunsaturated fat diet (P = 0·12). Dogs were 1·49 (1·26, 1·76; 95 % CI) times as likely to find a target prior to exercise relative to after exercise (P < 0·001). Dogs on the high PUFA diet utilising maize oil showed mild improvement in olfaction. The exact reasons are unknown; however, the higher relative amount of linoleic acid in the diet may play a role in olfactory sensation which warrants further examination of optimal diets for detection dogs.

Dynamics Analysis of Ground Contact Pressure of English Pointer Dogs

In this study force sensing resistors were used to determine thepressure on the central area of each of the weight bearing pads of thefore and hind paws of dogs at the walk. Six adult normal healthy EnglishPointer dogs were used in this project. Pressure data were collected byaffixing a force sensing resistor to the central area of the groundcontact surface of each weight bearing paw pad of the right fore andhind limbs. Pressure signal data from stance phase during walking wereanalyzed. Within paw pads, the pressure graphs were consistent in formand magnitude. Within paws, there were significant pressure differencesamong pads on both fore and hind limbs. The coefficient of restitution,the embedding dimension, and the Lyapunov exponents were calculated. Theability to measure and analyze pressure on individual paw pads providesinsight into soft tissue stresses on the palmar/plantar surface of thepaw. Pressure at a wound site on the pads has a detrimental effect onwound healing and a better understanding these stresses will be ofbenefit when suturing and bandaging pad wounds. Such information isespecially important in athletic and working dogs, e.g. search andrescue dogs.

Bioelastic membranes for topical application of a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor for protection of skin from pressure injury: a preliminary study.

A previous study showed that topical exposure to bioelastic‐thromboxane synthetase inhibitor‐matrix resulted in local tissue concentrations of thromboxane synthetase inhibitor sufficient for thromboxane synthetase inhibition. The objective of this research was to use an animal model to determine if a dressing having controlled release of thromboxane synthetase inhibitor (dazmegrel) could be used to prevent tissue breakdown over pressure points, i.e., lesion at the assistive device–skin interface. The animal model studies utilized the greyhound, a dog that has thin skin, angular conformation, limited body fat and is predisposed to pressure ulcers similar to those occurring in humans. The model uses a short‐limb walking cast on one pelvic limb with the severity of the dermal pressure lesions induced over the medial malleolus controlled by the amount of padding in the cast and length of time the cast is in place. The bioelastic matrix loaded with dazmegrel provided protection from shearing and pressure skin injury over the medial malleolus, as evidenced by a decrease in epidermal abrasion/ulceration as measured with planimetry. Histopathologic evaluation of the skin over the medial malleolus indicated a protective function of the bioelastic matrix as measured as lower numbers of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and decreased collagen density compared to such numbers when no bioelastic matrix was present. These studies provided evidence that bioelastic‐thromboxane sythetase inhibitor‐ matrix helps in preventing or reducing the severity of pressure lesions, e.g., assistive device–skin interface wounds.

The Effects of Varying Concentrations of Dietary Protein and Fat on Blood Gas, Hematologic Serum Chemistry, and Body Temperature Before and After Exercise in Labrador Retrievers

Optimal dietary protocols for the athletic canine are often defined by requirements for endurance athletes that do not always translate into optimal dietary interventions for all canine athletes. Prior research studying detection dogs suggests that dietary fat sources can influence olfaction; however, as fat is added to the diet the protein calories can be diminished potentially resulting in decreased red blood cell counts or albumin status. Optimal macronutrient profile for detection dogs may be different considering the unique work they engage in. To study a calorically low protein: high fat (18:57% ME), high protein: high fat (27:57% ME), and high protein: low fat (27:32% ME) approach to feeding, 17 dogs were provided various diets in a 3 × 3 cross over design. Dogs were exercised on a treadmill and blood was taken pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, 10- and 20-min post-exercise to assess complete blood count, serum chemistry, blood gases, and cortisol; as well as rectal and core body temperature. Exercise induced a decrease in serum phosphorus, potassium, and increases in non-esterified fatty acids and cortisol typical of moderate exercise bouts. A complete and balanced high protein: high-fat diet (27:57% ME) induced decreases in serum cortisol and alkaline phosphatase. Corn oil top dressed low protein: high-fat diet (18:57% ME) induced a slightly better thermal recovery than a complete and balanced high protein: high fat diet and a high protein: low fat (27%:32% ME) diet suggesting some mild advantages when using the low protein: high fat diet that warrant further investigation regarding optimal protein and fat calories and thermal recovery.

Contact Pressure of Quadrupedal Animals

In this study we determine the pressure on the central area of each of the weight bearing pads of the paws of dogs at the walk. Pressure signal data from stance phase during walking were analyzed. Within paws, there were significant pressure differences among pads on both fore and hind limbs. The coefficient of restitution, the embedding dimension, and the Lyapunov exponents were calculated. The ability to measure and analyze pressure on individual paw pads provides insight into soft tissue stresses on the palmar/plantar surface of the paw. Pressure at a wound site on the pads has a detrimental effect on wound healing and a better understanding these stresses will be of benefit when suturing and bandaging pad wounds. Such information is especially important in athletic and working dogs, e.g. search and rescue dogs.Copyright