Comparison of Simultaneously Collected Kinetic Data with Force Plates and a Pressure Walkway.

OBJECTIVE: This article compares simultaneously collected kinetic data (percent limb distribution and limb symmetry) with force plates (FP) and a pressure walkway. ANIMALS: This study included 18 healthy client-owned adult dogs. METHODS: Vertical ground reaction force and pressure data were collected during two sessions 1 week apart (days 1 and 7) using both FP and pressure mat systems. Vertical ground reaction forces and vertical pressure data were each collected alone as well as simultaneously. A mixed effects model was used to test for differences in force, force percent data and symmetry indices (SI) that were calculated for the thoracic and pelvic limb pairs, between collection systems. A Pearson's correlation was used to test for correlations between force, force percentage and SI. RESULTS: There was no difference in peak vertical force (PVF) or total pressure index (TPI) data collected alone or when collected with pressure mat overlay the FP. Small but significant differences were found in percent limb distribution between PVF% and TPI%. Significant differences were found in the calculated SI for forelimbs and hindlimbs. Correlations between the PVF% and TPI% distribution were significant in both the fore- and hindlimbs. While there was a significant correlation between the forelimb SI, there was no significant correlation between the SI in the hindlimbs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The method of calculating PVF and TPI percentages allowed for comparison between the collection methods. Significant differences were noted in the calculated SI between the collection methods and direct comparisons is not advisable.

Lack of effectiveness of tramadol hydrochloride for the treatment of pain and joint dysfunction in dogs with chronic osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effectiveness of tramadol for treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs. DESIGN Randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled crossover study. ANIMALS 40 dogs with clinical osteoarthritis of the elbow or stifle joint. PROCEDURES Dogs orally received 3 times/d (morning, midday, and night) for a 10-day period each of 3 identically appearing treatments (placebo; carprofen at 2.2 mg/kg [1 mg/lb], q 12 h [morning and night], with placebo at midday; or tramadol hydrochloride at 5 mg/kg [2.3 mg/lb], q 8 h) in random order, with treatment sessions separated by a minimum 7-day washout period. Vertical ground reaction forces (vertical impulse [VI] and peak vertical force [PVF]) were measured and Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI) scores assigned prior to (baseline) and at the end of each treatment period. Repeated-measures ANOVA was performed to compare VI and PVF data among and within treatments, and the χ2 test was used to compare proportions of dogs with a CBPI-defined positive response to treatment. RESULTS 35 dogs completed the study. No significant changes from baseline in VI and PVF were identified for placebo and tramadol treatments; however, these values increased significantly with carprofen treatment. Changes from baseline in VI and PVF values were significantly greater with carprofen versus placebo or tramadol treatment. A significant improvement from baseline in CBPI scores was identified with carprofen treatment but not placebo or tramadol treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE 10 days of treatment with tramadol as administered (5 mg/kg, PO, q 8 h) provided no clinical benefit for dogs with osteoarthritis of the elbow or stifle joint.