Risk-Factors for Soft-Tissue Injuries, Lacerations and Fractures During Racing in Greyhounds in New Zealand

Incidence and risk factors for limb fracture in greyhound racing in Western Australia

Identification of risk factors for race day injury can improve greyhound welfare. Race day fractures are the most significant injury event and have the greatest negative impact on dog welfare and the industry's social license to operate. This study aimed to describe the incidence and risk factors for race-related fractures in greyhounds racing in Western Australia. Electronic extracts describing race level data and race day injuries were provided by Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA). The incidence rate (IR) of fractures for all greyhound race starts in Western Australia from 1 January 2017-31/12/2023 was calculated per 1000 starts. Univariable and multivariable models using Poisson regression were used to calculate the IR ratio of fracture type based on race and greyhound-level factors. There were 198,008 racing starts and 662 (n = 643, 97.1% involving the limbs) fractures resulting in an IR of 3.3 fractures per 1000 starts (95%CI 3.1-3.6). Greyhounds that had an injury in their previous race were 2.3 times (95%CI1.4-4.3) more likely to have a forelimb fracture than greyhounds that did not have an injury (P = 0.013). The risk of tarsal bone fracture was greater in greyhounds older than 30 months and greyhounds that had not raced in the previous 15 days. Risk factors for fractures in the forelimb were associated with trauma after interference or dog collisions, whereas tarsal fractures were associated with strain and cyclic loading from race training/racing. Changes to racing structure, rules and policies based on these risk factors may help to reduce fracture incidence in racing greyhounds.

Internet Survey Evaluation of Demographic Risk Factors for Injury in Canine Agility Athletes

Objective

The purpose of this study was to compare previously identified demographic risk factors for injury in agility dogs, and explore other potential associations with demographic risk factors in new populations, and across different levels of injury severity.

Procedures

An internet-based survey of agility handlers was conducted. The primary outcome was if the dog had ever had an injury that kept from agility for over a week. Demographic information about the dog and handler were recorded. Logistic regression was used to quantify associations between variables of interest with injury history and all models were adjusted for age. Analyses were stratified by geographic location. Final model building was done via backward selection.

Results

The sample included 2,962 dogs from North America and 1,235 dogs from elsewhere. In the North American sample, 8 variables were associated with injury history; dog breed, height and weight, handler age, gender, agility experience, competing at the national level, age dog was acquired, and taking radiographs to assess growth plate closure. In the non-North American sample, 4 variables were associated with injury history; breed, handler age, occupation (dog trainer or not), and handler medical training. In both samples, Border Collies showed a marked increase in injury risk (ORs 1.89 and 2.34) and handler age >65 was associated with lower risk (ORs 0.62 and 0.77). Consistent with previous studies, greater handler experience was associated with reduced risk in the North American sample, but the other sample did not show this pattern, even in unadjusted models. Dog spay/neuter status was not associated with injury risk in either sample.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Dogs with radiographs assessing growth plate closure may have increased injury risk as this population of owners may plan to train their dog harder, and at an earlier age. This finding also poses the question of whether or not growth plate closure is a good indicator of safety for increasing training intensity. Knowledge of what risk factors exist for injury in agility dogs is imperative in determining direction for future prospective studies, as well as creating recommendations to help prevent injury in this population of dogs.

The Effect of Two Acute Bouts of Exercise on Oxidative Stress, Hematological, and Biochemical Parameters, and Rectal Temperature in Trained Canicross Dogs

Canicross is a sport discipline that connects human and canine athletes in running. Changes in physiological, hematological, and biochemical parameters, and exercise-induced oxidative stress have not been thoroughly characterized in canicross dogs. The aim of our study was the assessment of the health status of trained canicross dogs that were subjected to two acute bouts of exercise with their owners during the training season. Health status was assessed by measuring the rectal temperature, hematological and biochemical parameters, as well as blood oxidative stress parameters (plasma malondialdehyde, lipid peroxidation marker; whole blood glutathione peroxidase and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase1, antioxidant enzymes) before and during a two-day canicross training session and after a 24-h rest period. Seven trained canicross dogs (three females/four males) aged 12–120 months were included in the study. Blood samples were collected before and immediately after the first acute bout of exercise (day 1), after the second acute bout of exercise (day 2), and after 24 h of rest (day 3). Rectal temperature was measured at the same time as blood sample collection. The majority of hematological and biochemical parameters remained within reference ranges at all sampling times. Rectal temperature was significantly higher after training on days 1 and 2 compared to resting temperature on day 3. Hematological parameters did not change significantly; however, there were significant differences in urea, creatinine, creatine kinase, and triglycerides between specific sampling times. Despite significant changes, these biochemical parameters remained within reference ranges. Significant changes in biochemical parameters seem to reflect the dogs' physiological response to each acute bout of exercise, considering all biochemical parameters and rectal temperature returned to pre-exercise values after a 24-h rest period (day 3). No significant differences in oxidative stress parameters were found between any sampling times. Relatively high erythrocyte superoxide dismutase1 activity at all sampling times may indicate that the canicross dogs are adapted to training by an increased expression of antioxidant enzymes. Based on our results, we can conclude that the trained canicross dogs included in our study were healthy, in good physical condition, and fit for the two acute bouts of field exercise.