Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Using thermal imaging to track hip arthritis treatment in police dogs
By Alves, J C et al.·Published in BMC veterinary research·2021·Divisã·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Evaluation of digital thermography imaging to assess and monitor treatment of police working dogs with naturally occurring hip osteoarthritis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 50 police dogs with hip osteoarthritis (OA) were monitored using digital thermography, a type of thermal imaging, to see how well they responded to treatment. The dogs had their hip temperatures measured at various intervals, and their weight-bearing and pain levels were also assessed. While the thermography results showed some correlation with the dogs' pain and movement, the connection was weak. This study suggests that while thermography can provide some insights, it may not be the most reliable method for evaluating treatment effectiveness in dogs with hip OA.
People also search for: dog hip osteoarthritis treatment · police dog pain management · thermography for dogs arthritis
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In dogs, thermal imaging has been documented only recently, but a growing interest in this modality has led to studies using thermography to assess pathologies in the canine hip, stifle, elbow, intervertebral disc, and bone neoplasia. This study aimed to evaluate the use of digital thermography in assessing and evaluating treatment response in dogs with hip osteoarthritis (OA) and comparing its results with an objective measure and two clinical metrology instruments. In an experimental, randomized, double-blinded study, one hundred hip joints of fifty police working dogs with bilateral hip OA were evaluated. A dorsoventral and lateral thermographic image were obtained on days 0, 8, 15, 30, 90, and 180. Mean and maximal temperatures were determined. Additionally, the animal's weight-bearing distribution and radiographic examination of the hip joint (extended legs ventrodorsal view) were performed. Copies of the Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI) and Canine Orthopaedic Index (COI) were obtained. Results were analyzed by ANOVA, followed by an LSD post-hoc test, and correlations were assessed with Spearman correlation coefficient, with p < 0.05. RESULTS: Values recorded on the lateral view were higher than those on the dorsoventral view. No differences or correlations were found between Orthopedic Foundation for Animals hip grades and temperature. Digital thermographic images showed a weak significant correlation with weight-bearing evaluations (r = 0.13, p < 0.01) and different clinical metrology instruments scores (r = - 0.25, p < 0.01 for pain severity score, and r = - 0.21, p = 0.04 for gait). It also correlated with radiographic findings, specifically the circumferential femoral head osteophyte and caudolateral curvilinear osteophyte. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study presenting the digital thermography assessment of Police working dogs submitted to treatment for hip OA. Digital thermography, mainly based on a lateral view evaluation, showed a weak significant correlation with stance analysis and clinical metrology instruments scores.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33933090/