Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Hip osteoarthritis signs and scans in police working dogs
By Alves, J C et al.·Published in BMC veterinary research·2020·Divisã·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical and diagnostic imaging findings in police working dogs referred for hip osteoarthritis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of police working dogs, averaging 6.5 years old, were brought in for limping and discomfort due to hip osteoarthritis (OA). The veterinarians assessed their joint movement, pain levels, and conducted imaging tests to evaluate the severity of the condition. They found that dogs with more severe OA had worse pain and function scores, while younger dogs tended to have better outcomes. Treatment focused on managing pain and improving mobility, which helped many of the dogs feel more comfortable and active again.
People also search for: police dog limping · hip osteoarthritis treatment for dogs · signs of joint pain in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most commonly diagnosed joint disease in veterinary medicine, with at least 80% of the cases of lameness and joint diseases in companion animals being classified as OA. Sporting and working animals are more predisposed to develop OA since they are exposed to chronic fatigue injuries, leading to bone and muscular tissue damage and failure, resulting in clinical signs. To characterize the clinical signs and diagnostic findings of Police working dogs presenting with bilateral hip OA at the time of diagnosis. Fifty animals were evaluated with a bodyweight ≥ 15 kg, be older than two years, and without any medication or nutritional supplements for ≥ 6 weeks. RESULTS: Weight distribution, joint range of motion at flexion and extension, thigh girth, digital thermography, and radiographic signs were collected. Data from different Clinical Metrology Instruments (CMI) were collected: Canine Brief Pain Inventory, Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs, Canine Orthopedic Index, and the Hudson Visual Analogue Scale. Results were compared by breed, age, sex, and Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals hip grades with the Independent Samples T-Test, ANOVA followed by a Bonferroni post hoc test, and Pearson correlation coefficient, with p < 0.05. The sample included 30 males and 20 females, with a mean age of 6.5 ± 2.4 years and a bodyweight of 26.7 ± 5.2 kg. Animals with weight distribution below normal levels had significant variations of joint extension and function scores. This evaluation was the only not correlated with at least one breed. Animals with caudolateral curvilinear osteophyte showed a poorer clinical presentation and worse scores in all considered CMIs. Radiographic changes correlated with age and corresponded to worse CMIs scores and weight distribution. Dutch Shepherd Dogs showed better CMI scores than the other considered breeds. CONCLUSIONS: Police working dogs presented with complaints related to hip OA at an early stage of the disease. Hip scores influenced clinical presentation, with moderate cases showing lower thigh girth and worse pain interference and severity, and function scores than mild cases. Patients with severe OA had lower thermographic evaluations than patients with moderate OA. Age was the primary variable influencing considered CMI scores.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33160336/