The effect of weight loss on lameness in obese dogs with osteoarthritis

Abstract

This paper describes the effect of weight loss on lameness in obese dogs with osteoarthritis (OA). Fourteen obese client-owned dogs with clinical and radiographic signs of OA participated in an open prospective clinical trial. After a screening visit and a visit for collection of baseline data, the dogs were fed a restricted-calorie diet over a study period of 16 weeks that incorporated six follow-up visits. At each visit, body weight and pelvic circumference were measured and severity of lameness was assessed using a numeric rating scale (NRS), a visual analogue scale (VAS) and kinetic gait analysis. This is the first study to assess both subjectively and objectively, the effect of weight loss alone on lameness in obese dogs with OA. The results indicate that body weight reduction causes a significant decrease in lameness from a weight loss of 6.10% onwards. Kinetic gait analysis supported the results from a body weight reduction of 8.85% onwards. These results confirm that weight loss should be presented as an important treatment modality to owners of obese dogs with OA and that noticeable improvement may be seen after modest weight loss in the region of 6.10 - 8.85% body weight.

Fig. 1

Average percentage of baseline values for body weight and pelvic circumference at each visit, with model-based estimates and their 95% confidence intervals

Fig. 2

Evolution of average VAS lameness scores with model-based estimates and their 95% confidence intervals

Fig. 3

Evolution of average peak vertical force (model-based estimates and their 95% confidence intervals) for dogs with elbow OA and forelimb lameness broken down by limb type

Fig. 4

Evolution of average peak breaking force (model-based estimates and their 95% confidence intervals) for dogs with elbow OA and forelimb lameness broken down by limb type

Fig. 5

Evolution of average vertical impulse (model-based estimates and their 95% confidence intervals) for dogs with elbow OA and forelimb lameness broken down by limb type