This study aimed to describe weight bearing redistribution present in police working diagnosed with bilateral hip osteoarthritis (OA), and in response to treatment. Fifty Police working dogs with bilateral hip OA was performed at the time of initial evaluation and after treatment, on days 0 (treatment day) and on 8, 15, 30, 90 and 180 post-treatment. Results were compared by breed, age, sex, weight and OFA scores with the Independent Samples T-Test, one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient, with p< 0.05.
Patients had a mean age of 6.5±2.4 years and body weight of 26.7±5.2kg, of both sexes (30 males and 20 females). Four breeds were represented: German Shepherd Dogs (n=17), Belgian Malinois Shepherd Dogs (n=15), Labrador Retriever (n=10), and Dutch Shepherd Dog (n=8). Thirty-five animals were classified as mild (70%), 10 as moderate (20%) and 5 as severe (10%). No significant differences were observed when comparing weight bearing for different breeds, sex, hip grades or different cut-offs for weight at the initial evaluation. A weight shift from pelvic to thoracic limbs was observed, with a weak significant correlation found between a pelvic limb and the opposing contralateral thoracic limb. Labrador Retrievers showed higher symmetry index and deviation from normal values than other breeds. During the follow-up period, after treatment, weight bearing of all limbs correlated with the remaining limbs, reflecting a more balanced weight distribution.
This study first describes weight-bearing redistribution in dogs with bilateral hip OA and also in response to treatment, using a novel evaluation modality.
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