Working farm dogs in New Zealand returning to work after partial

Abstract

AIM: To report the long-term outcome (return to work and owner satisfaction) for working farm dogs in New Zealand after partial tarsal arthrodesis for proximal intertarsal and/or tarsometatarsal tarsal joint injury. METHODS: Working farm dogs that underwent partial tarsal arthrodesis were identified by diagnosis and breed code via a search of the medical records of Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (MUVTH) and Veterinary Specialist Orthopaedic Services (VetSOS). Fourteen dogs fulfilled the selection criteria and were all actively in work on farms at the time of injury. Data from case files were analysed, and the ability of the dog to work after surgery and owners' satisfaction were assessed using a questionnaire sent to owners at a median follow-up interval of 57 months. RESULTS: Following partial tarsal arthrodesis, 7/14 (50%) dogs could perform normal work duties required while 4/14 (29%) dogs could perform most of the duties they had undertaken before injury, though some allowance had to be made for reduced performance. Thirteen owners were satisfied or very satisfied with the outcome of surgery and 12/14 thought the financial investment required for the surgery was worthwhile. Of the three dogs that did not return to work, infection requiring implant removal (one dog) and less than optimal post-operative limb alignment (two dogs) were assessed to contribute to the poor outcome. Two other dogs that required implant removal due to infection did successfully return to work. CONCLUSIONS: In this limited cases series, partial tarsal arthrodesis in working dogs had a good prognosis for return to work. Any conclusion regarding the benefit of a particular surgical technique requires a prospective evaluation with a larger number of animals. It is important to minimise the risk of infection and optimally align the tarsus to avoid a poor outcome. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: New Zealand veterinarians can now provide more accurate prognostic information to owners whose working dogs suffer tarsal trauma requiring partial arthrodesis.