Caretaker-reported quality of life, functionality, and complications associated with assistive mobility cart use in companion animals.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of assistive mobility carts on companion animals and caretakers' quality of life by investigating factors pertaining to caretaker satisfaction, the ability to perform daily tasks, and complication rates.

Materials And Methods: A 23-question survey was distributed to caretakers of animals using carts to evaluate the animal and caretakers' quality of life, acceptance, ability to complete functional tasks, and complications. Data from canine, feline, and rabbit responses were analyzed separately.

Surface electromyography of the vastus lateralis and gluteus medius muscles in post-operative T3-L3 hemilaminectomy dogs: a prospective controlled observational study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine if surface electromyography (sEMG) demonstrates differences in muscle activation between normal and dogs recovering from spinal cord injury due to intervertebral disk extrusion.

Animals: Two groups of client-owned small-breed chondrodysplastic-type dogs were tested. Group 1 consisted of seven ambulatory paraparetic dogs that had undergone a hemilaminectomy procedure in the T3-L3 region for intervertebral disk extrusion 1 month prior.

Clinical Application of Acupuncture in Equine Practice.

Acupuncture is an inexpensive nonpharmacological modality that has a variety of musculoskeletal, neurologic, and internal medicine applications for the equine practitioner. Common uses include back pain colic, laminitis, laryngeal hemiplegia, and suprascapular neuropathy. Although there is a growing body of literature supporting the use of acupuncture in equids, there remains a need for further robust, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical efficacy trials.

Effect of Nail Grips on Weight Bearing and Limb Function in 30 Dogs 2 Weeks Post Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy.

The objective of this study was to assess the functional outcomes of dogs wearing nail grips in the first 2 weeks following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). Thirty dogs were included ( = 13 nail grips and = 17 sham grips). Visual lameness scores (VLS), total pressure index (TPI), and client-specific outcome measures (CSOMs) were obtained by blinded observers on day 1 and day 14 +/- 3 post TPLO.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Canine Orthopedic Medicine.

The use of complementary and alternative veterinary medicine (CAVM) continues to become more widespread, especially for the management of chronic pain conditions such as canine osteoarthritis. Many patients have comorbidities that preclude traditional medical options, have not adequately responded to conventional therapies, or have owners interested in pursuing a complementary approach. Evidence-based CAVM can serve as a safe and effective adjunct to manage chronic pain conditions.

Systematic review of postoperative rehabilitation interventions after cranial cruciate ligament surgery in dogs.

Objective: To critically evaluate the evidence for rehabilitation interventions following surgery for cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD) in dogs.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Methods: Google Scholar and Pubmed databases were searched for studies evaluating postoperative CCLD rehabilitation interventions from 1990 until March 2020 per the international Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO).

Evaluation of Thermographic Imaging in Canine Hindlimb Muscles After 6 Min of Walking-A Pilot Study.

To evaluate changes in superficial temperature of hindlimb muscles before and after a 6-min walk in healthy dogs. Two infrared thermographic images were captured of the proximal and distal hindlimbs of 11 healthy dogs before and after a 6-min walk. Orthopedic exam and objective gait analysis confirmed the healthy status of study subjects.