Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Gait problems measured by accelerometer in muscular dystrophy dogs
By Barthélémy, Inès et al.·Published in Neuromuscular disorders : NMD·2009·Laboratoire de Neurobiologie, France·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Gait analysis using accelerometry in dystrophin-deficient dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of adult Golden Retrievers with muscular dystrophy showed noticeable walking problems, including shorter strides and slower speeds. Researchers used a device to measure their movements and found that these dogs had specific gait patterns that were consistent across multiple tests. The study confirmed that this method of measuring movement is reliable and could help in assessing how the disease affects their ability to walk. While the dogs in the study were not treated, the findings could assist veterinarians in monitoring the condition in affected pets.
People also search for: Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy symptoms · dog walking problems · how to help my dog with muscular dystrophy
Abstract
Dogs affected with Golden Retriever Muscular Dystrophy (GRMD) exhibit striking clinical similarities with patients suffering from Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), particularly gait impairments. The purpose of this study was to describe the use and reliability of accelerometry in gait assessment of dogs with muscular dystrophy. Eight healthy and 11 GRMD adult dogs underwent three gait assessment sessions, using accelerometry. Three-axial recordings of accelerations were performed, and gait variables calculated. Total power, force and regularity of accelerations, stride length and speed, normalized by height at withers, stride frequency, and cranio-caudal power were significantly decreased, whereas medio-lateral power was significantly increased in GRMD dogs. Moreover, these variables were repeatable within and between sessions. Accelerometry provides reliable variables which highlight specific gait patterns of GRMD dogs, describing objectively and quantitatively their slow, short-stepped, and swaying gait. As it is easy to set-up, quick to perform and inexpensive, accelerometry represents a useful tool, to assess locomotion during pre-clinical trials.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19800232/