An update on mobility assessment of dogs with musculoskeletal disease

Linguistic Validation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Canine Orthopedic Index for the German- and Spanish-speaking Population

The Canine Orthopedic Index (COI) questionnaire was developed to assess chronic pain and functional impairment in dogs with orthopaedic conditions. This study aimed to perform a linguistic validation and cross-cultural adaptation of the COI from the original English version into Universal German and Universal Spanish.We employed the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy translation methodology, which involves two forward translations, one reconciliation of the two forward translations, a back translation into English, multiple reviews, and cognitive debriefing interviews with a representative sample of dog carers. We followed a universal approach to translation, with translators and study participants from different German- and Spanish-speaking countries.The two independent forward translations differed by four parts for the German COI and eight parts for the Spanish COI. Comparing the backward translations with the original document identified 10 items or instructions in both translations that required retranslation. Cognitive debriefing interviews with dog carers confirmed that the translated instruments effectively conveyed the same concepts as the original version, leading to no further changes in the Universal German COI and four minor revisions to the Universal Spanish COI.We provide linguistically validated and culturally adapted versions of the COI suitable for use in all German- and Spanish-speaking countries.

Evaluation of cognitive and mobility function in geriatric dogs following treatment with stem cell and stem cell extracellular vesicles derived from embryonic stem cells: a pilot study

Introduction

Declining physical or mental health in older dogs can lead to changes in the dog's cognitive and musculoskeletal function. Regrettably, these degenerative changes cannot be remedied. In the present study, geriatric small dogs exhibiting cognitive and behavioral changes were treated with human embryonic stem cell-derived mesenchymal stemcells (ES-MSCs, n = 21) and mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (ES-MSC-EVs, n = 21).

Methods

Before and 2 weeks after treatment, the cognitive and mobility status of the dogs were assessed using theCanine Cognitive Dysfunction Rating (CCDR) and the Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (LOAD) scale. Additionally, safety assessments were conducted through blood tests such as complete blood count and serum chemistry.

Results

Following an assessment of clinical symptoms and blood tests in both the groups receiving ES-MSC and ES-MSC-EVs treatments, no notable side effects were detected. Moreover, the questionnaire survey revealed that both groups showed alleviation in CCDR and LOAD scores following administration.

Discussion

These findings suggest that ES-MSC and ES-MSC-EV treatments have the potential to be used as a therapeutic option for improving clinical symptoms of degenerative diseases such as canine cognitive dysfunction and degenerativemusculoskeletal diseases in elderly dogs.

The Effects of Omega-3 Supplementation on the Omega-3 Index and Quality of Life and Pain Scores in Dogs

This study in dogs had two objectives: first, to determine whether a daily supplement of marine omega-3 (EPA and DHA) would (1) increase red blood cell EPA + DHA levels (i.e., the Omega-3 Index derived from dried blood spot analysis) and (2) impact health-related measures. Dogs were recruited from five private veterinary clinics in the United States and supplemented with about 70 mg of EPA + DHA per kg body weight (BW) for 16 weeks. Health-related outcomes included quality of life (QOL) and pain scores using validated questionnaires. Twenty-nine dogs (8.4 ± 3.6 years old) finished this study. After 16 weeks of supplementation with 68 ± 19 mg EPA + DHA/kg/day, the O3I increased from 1.4% ± 1.0% at baseline to 3.3% ± 1.1% (p = <0.0001). Concomitantly, overall pain scores declined from 7.4 ± 5.8 to 6.2 ± 5.4 (p = 0.012), primarily in small and medium-sized dogs. QOL scores improved slightly but only in small dogs (p = 0.03). Thus, supplementation with about 70 mg of EPA + DHA/kg/day improved the O3I and, in smaller dogs, pain and QOL scores. Future studies are needed to more clearly define doses of EPA + DHA that would improve the health of dogs.

Mobility, functionality and functional mobility: A review and application for canine veterinary patients

Mobility is an essential aspect of a dog's daily life. It is defined as the ability to move freely and easily and deviations from an animals' normal mobility capabilities are often an indicator of disease, injury or pain. When a dog's mobility is compromised, often functionality (ability to perform activities of daily living [ADL]), is also impeded, which can diminish an animal's quality of life. Given this, it is necessary to understand the extent to which conditions impact a dog's physiological ability to move around their environment to carry out ADL, a concept termed functional mobility. In contrast to human medicine, validated measures of canine functional mobility are currently limited. The aim of this review is to summarise the extent to which canine mobility and functionality are associated with various diseases and how mobility and functional mobility are currently assessed within veterinary medicine. Future work should focus on developing a standardised method of assessing functional mobility in dogs, which can contextualise how a wide range of conditions impact a dog's daily life. However, for a true functional mobility assessment to be developed, a greater understanding of what activities dogs do on a daily basis and movements underpinning these activities must first be established.

Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Gait Parameters in Dogs with Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a common degenerative disease in dogs, often manifested as pain, joint swelling, and lameness. Despite the lack of scientific evidence for its treatment efficacy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is used in dogs as a pain-relieving treatment. This randomised single-blinded cross-over study investigated the effect of TENS on gait parameters in fifteen dogs with osteoarthritis. Stance time, swing time, stride time, stride length, peak vertical force (%BW), vertical impulse (%BW*sec), and symmetry indices were obtained using a pressure-sensitive mat. TENS treatment of 80 Hz and 100 µs with an individually selected amplitude was conducted for 45 min once daily for a treatment period of seven or ten days. No significant differences were seen between TENS and placebo for any of the gait parameters. Hence, in this study, TENS did not affect gait parameters, compared to placebo. Further studies are needed to confirm the observations.