Accuracy and Confidence in Performing Canine Stifle Goniometry was Similar between Simulation-Model or Traditional Textbook Trained Veterinary Students.

Goniometry is an essential skill used in veterinary rehabilitation settings to monitor orthopedic conditions. Our objectives were to create a normal canine stifle goniometry model and to compare students' confidence and accuracy in performing goniometry with exposure to either the model or traditional teaching methods. We hypothesized that students would demonstrate goniometry skills more confidently and accurately after using a simulation model than those given traditional materials.

Effect of preoperative ondansetron on postoperative nausea in healthy dogs undergoing laparoscopic gastropexy and castration.

Objective: To investigate if preoperative ondansetron reduces postoperative nausea associated with laparoscopic gastropexy and castration in dogs.

Study Design: Prospective clinical study.

Animals: Twenty client-owned, healthy male dogs.

A comparison of rectal versus fetlock temperatures in dorsally recumbent horses during general anesthesia.

Objective: To investigate the effect of isoflurane anesthesia on thermoregulation and peripheral heat loss in dorsally recumbent horses.

Study Design: Prospective, clinical study.

Animals: Seven adult horses (2.

Intra-articular triamcinolone acetonide injection results in increases in systemic insulin and glucose concentrations in horses without insulin dysregulation.

Background: Corticosteroids are a commonly used, inexpensive intra-articular treatment for osteoarthritis which may increase the risk for laminitis in horses due, in part, to hyperinsulinaemia. Humans with metabolic syndrome experience increases in insulin and glucose concentrations post-injection, but responses in horses are unknown.

Objectives: To determine the effect of a single intra-articular (IA) dose of triamcinolone acetate (TA) on blood insulin and glucose concentrations.

Ultrasonographic appearance of supraspinatus and biceps tendinopathy improves in dogs treated with low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy: a retrospective study.

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether dogs with shoulder tendinopathy diagnosed via musculoskeletal ultrasound would show improvement in imaging after treatment using piezoelectric shockwave therapy and rest.

Methods: Medical records were reviewed for dogs diagnosed with biceps and/or supraspinatus tendinopathy musculoskeletal ultrasound, treated using piezowave shockwave, and re-imaged post-treatment. Data collected included patient signalment, duration and grade of lameness, prior rest, piezowave dose, and patient outcome, including a return to sport where applicable.

Cranial cruciate ligament disease is perceived to be prevalent and is misunderstood in field trial sport.

Objective: Cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD) is the most prevalent orthopedic problem in canines, affecting 3% to 5% of dogs, causing stifle instability, mobility dysfunction, and pain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the American Kennel Club field trial community's knowledge of CCLD and estimate its perceived prevalence within this population.

Sample: 401 field trial participants responded, with 701 field trial canines reported.

A one-health lens offers new perspectives on the importance of endocrine disorders in the equine athlete.

Endocrine disorders are associated with joint pain and tendon injury in humans, but the effects in the horse are only starting to be understood. Similar patterns of clinical signs and injury appear to affect horses and humans for both orthopedic and endocrine disorders, supporting the use of a one-health approach to tackle these issues. In this Currents in One Health, we will discuss common equine endocrinopathies, current testing recommendations, dietary management, genetic predispositions, and endocrine disorders' effects on performance.

A one-health approach to identifying and mitigating the impact of endocrine disorders on human and equine athletes.

Endocrinopathies affect multiple species in ever-increasing percentages of their populations, creating an opportunity to apply one-health approaches to determining creative preventative measures and therapies in athletes. Obesity and alterations in insulin and glucose dynamics are medical concerns that play a role in whole-body health and homeostasis in both horses and humans. The role and impact of endocrine disorders on the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and reproductive systems are of particular interest to the athlete.

Use of acoustic myography to evaluate forelimb muscle function in retriever dogs carrying different mouth weights.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of mouth weight on gait and relative function of forelimb muscles in retriever hunting dogs as a possible explanation for biceps tendinopathy.

Methods: Ten sound retriever dogs underwent acoustic myography, measuring efficiency (E-score), spatial summation (S-score), and temporal summation (T-score) during walk and trot on a pressure-sensitive walkway while carrying a 0 lb (0 kg), 1 lb (0.45 kg), and 3.

The impact of COVID-19 on access to canine integrative medical care in Michigan, USA, and Ontario and British Columbia, Canada.

Objective: To determine the effects of the COVID-19 associated restrictions on the ability of owners in Michigan (MI), USA versus Ontario (ON) and British Columbia (BC), Canada, to obtain care for their chronically painful dogs.

Study Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Population: A total of 90 owners met the inclusion criteria for the study.

Beta defensins as biomarkers: detectable in LPS-stimulated equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells and normal, aseptic, and probable septic equine synovial fluid.

Objectives: Diagnosis of equine septic arthritis is not straightforward, and increasing time between onset, diagnosis, and treatment can have serious consequences for quality of life. Defensins are used in diagnosis of human joint infection. The presence of beta defensins (BDs) in equine synovial fluid and their utility as a biomarker of sepsis has not been investigated; therefore, our objectives were to (1) compare in vitro gene expression of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated equine neutrophils to unstimulated neutrophils and (2) compare BD protein expression from normal, aseptically inflamed, and septic equine joints.

The Impact of Circular Exercise Diameter on Bone and Joint Health of Juvenile Animals.

Circular exercise is used in many equestrian disciplines and this study aimed to determine if circle diameter impacts juvenile animal forelimb bone and joint health. On day 0, 24 calves at 9 weeks of age were assigned the following exercise treatments: small circle (12 m clockwise), large circle (18-m clockwise), treadmill, or non-exercised control. Exercise was initiated at 1.

Effects of intravenous ethyl pyruvate on cardiopulmonary variables and quality of recovery from anesthesia in horses.

Objective: To determine the effects of intravenous ethyl pyruvate, an anti-inflammatory with putative benefits in horses with endotoxemia, on cardiopulmonary variables during anesthesia and the quality of anesthetic recovery.

Study Design: Randomized, crossover, blinded experimental design.

Animals: A total of six healthy Standardbred geldings, aged 13 ± 3 years and weighing 507 ± 66 kg (mean ± standard deviation).

Impact of Gait and Diameter during Circular Exercise on Front Hoof Area, Vertical Force, and Pressure in Mature Horses.

Circular exercise can be used at varying gaits and diameters to exercise horses, with repeated use anecdotally relating to increased lameness. This work sought to characterize mean area, mean vertical force, and mean pressure of the front hooves while exercising in a straight line at the walk and trot, and small (10-m diameter) and large circles (15-m diameter) at the walk, trot, and canter. Nine mature horses wore Tekscan Hoof Sensors on their forelimbs adhered with a glue-on shoe.

Tooth Elongation of Maxillary Second Premolars and Mandibular Third Molars and Associated Periodontal Disease in Horses: A Retrospective Study.

Periodontal disease has been identified in horses and donkeys through the millennia at a prevalence of up to 75% and is a leading cause of tooth loss in horses. We hypothesize that there is a correlation between tooth elongations and periodontal disease. Dental records of all client owned horses examined by a single AVDC/equine board certified practitioner in 2016-2018 were analyzed.

Owner Perceptions of Long-Term Systemic Use of Subcutaneous Administration of Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan.

Polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG) is a slow-acting disease-modifying agent used to treat degenerative joint disease. Although labeled for intramuscular use, it is commonly given by owners via a subcutaneous (SC) route. There is little information on adverse events related to SC administration or what other therapies are used concurrently with PSGAG.

Owner Perceptions of Long-Term Systemic Use of Subcutaneous Administration of Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan.

Polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG) is a slow-acting disease-modifying agent used to treat degenerative joint disease. Although labeled for intramuscular use, it is commonly given by owners via a subcutaneous (SC) route. There is little information on adverse events related to SC administration or what other therapies are used concurrently with PSGAG.

Sprint Exercise of Juvenile Animals Does Not Impact Cartilage Glycosaminoglycan or Synovial Fluid Neopeptide Collagenase Cleavage of Type I and II Collagen Content.

Short sprints performed during growth can increase bone strength, mineral density, and cortical widths, but their impact on joint health is not fully understood. Some studies have found joints of young animals are damaged by forced sprints, while others found confinement hindered joint development. This study aimed to determine the impact of short sprints on synovial fluid neopeptide collagenase cleavage of type I and II collagen (C1,2C) and cartilage glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content.

Heart Rate Changes Before, During, and After Treadmill Walking Exercise in Normal Dogs.

In dogs, changes in heart rate (HR) can reflect conditioning, fear, anticipation, and pain; however, these are not routinely assessed in veterinary rehabilitation patients. Knowing the expected HR changes during rehabilitation exercises can guide protocols and can optimize post-operative therapy. The primary objectives of the study were to assess HR in dogs undergoing treadmill exercise (TE) during the walk and to compare the three collection techniques of HR, namely, auscultation, a HR monitor (HR MONITOR), and a Holter monitor (HOLTER).

Low dietary silicon supplementation may not affect bone and cartilage in mature, sedentary horses.

As osteoarthritis is a major cause of lameness in horses in the United States, improving collagen health prior to onset and increasing collagen turnover within affected joints could improve health- and welfare-related outcomes. Through its positive effects on bone mineral content and density and its role in increasing collagen synthesis, silicon (Si) may slow the development and progression of osteoarthritis, thereby reducing lameness. This study evaluated the hypothesis that Si supplementation would increase cartilage turnover through increased collagen degradation and formation markers, as well as bone formation markers, resulting in reduced lameness severity when compared with controls.

The Effect of Stirrup Iron Style on Normal Forces and Rider Position.

The stirrup iron has the potential to modify the forces experienced by a horse and rider during ridden exercise. A range of stirrup designs are available, but no previous studies have investigated if these modifications influence riders' position and interaction with the horse. Novel flexible (F) or flexible and rotatable (FR) irons versus traditional (T) stirrups may positively impact the welfare and performance of the horse and rider.

Functional contexts of adipose and gluteal muscle tissue gene co-expression networks in the domestic horse.

A gene's response to an environment is tightly bound to the underlying genetic variation present in an individual's genome and varies greatly depending on the tissue it is being expressed in. Gene co-expression networks provide a mechanism to understand and interpret the collective transcriptional responses of genes. Here, we use the Camoco co-expression network framework to characterize the transcriptional landscape of adipose and gluteal muscle tissue in 83 domestic horses (Equus caballus) representing 5 different breeds.

Radiographic localization of the attachments of soft tissue structures in the tarsal region of horses.

Objective: To identify radiographic locations of soft tissue attachments in the tarsal region of horses and describe any variability in the gross anatomy of those attachments.

Sample: 15 cadaveric limbs from 8 adult horses.

Procedures: 8 limbs were used for dissection and radiography of soft tissue structures, with metallic markers used to identify radiographic locations of soft tissue attachments.

Investigation of the Effects of a Dietary Supplement on Insulin and Adipokine Concentrations in Equine Metabolic Syndrome/Insulin Dysregulation.

High insulin concentrations are a common clinical feature of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) and insulin dysregulation. Hyperinsulinemia can induce laminitis, so reduction of insulin concentrations in response to an oral challenge should decrease risk. In human studies, diets containing a polyphenol (resveratrol) led to improvements in insulin sensitivity.

Evaluation of the Structure of Myodural Bridges in an Equine Model of Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes.

Myodural bridges have been described in various species as connective tissue structures "bridging" small cranio-cervical muscles to the dura. Myodural bridges are thought to stabilize the dural sac during head and neck movements and promote cerebrospinal fluid motion; however, their role in neurological diseases has not yet been established. We report ultrasonographic visualization, necropsy, histopathologic and ultrastructural findings of myodural bridges in horses with hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia (HERDA), an equine model of Ehlers-Danlos syndromes.