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. 2021 Mar;62(3):253-260.

An Internet survey of risk factors for injury in North American dogs competing in flyball

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An Internet survey of risk factors for injury in North American dogs competing in flyball

K Romany Pinto et al. Can Vet J. 2021 Mar.

Abstract

A survey was used to investigate injuries in dogs competing in flyball. Complete surveys were obtained from 272 respondents with 589 dogs. In the past year, 23.3% of dogs were injured, with 34.1% injured during their career to date. Common injury sites were paws/digits, back, shoulder, and iliopsoas muscle/groin. Injury in previous years, modified by weight:height ratio, was a significant risk factor for injury. Dogs > 2 y of age had increased risk of injury, as did dogs with best times < 4.0 s. Canadian dogs had increased risk of injury (30.7% injured) compared to United States dogs (20.1% injured). This relationship was modified by participation in other sports, which generally reduced risk of injury in Canadian dogs. Further investigation of risk factors should include differences in training and competition between the United States and Canada, as well as injury prevention strategies.

Un sondage Internet sur les facteurs de risque de blessure chez les chiens nord-américains participant au flyball. Un sondage a été utilisé pour enquêter sur les blessures chez les chiens participant au flyball. Des enquêtes complètes ont été obtenues auprès de 272 répondants avec 589 chiens. Au cours de la dernière année, 23,3 % des chiens ont été blessés, et 34,1 % au cours de leur carrière à ce jour. Les sites de blessure les plus courants étaient les pattes/doigts, le dos, l’épaule et l’aine/muscle psoas iliaque. Les blessures des années précédentes, modifiées par le rapport poids/taille, étaient un facteur de risque important de blessures. Les chiens de plus de 2 ans présentaient un risque accru de blessures, tout comme les chiens avec les meilleurs temps < 4,0 s. Les chiens canadiens présentaient un risque accru de blessures (30,7 % de blessés) par rapport aux chiens américains (20,1 % de blessés). Cette relation était modifiée par la participation à d’autres sports, ce qui réduisait généralement le risque de blessure chez les chiens canadiens. Une enquête plus approfondie sur les facteurs de risque devrait inclure les différences d’entraînement et de compétition entre les États-Unis et le Canada, ainsi que des stratégies de prévention des blessures.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for risk of flyball injury in the past year, shown for the interaction between injury in previous years and dog weight:height ratio quartile. Odds ratios > 1.0 in gray cells indicate that previously injured dogs had a significantly higher risk of injury in the past year than dogs without injury in previous years for that weight:height quartile comparison. White cells indicate comparisons that were not significant.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for risk of injury in the past year shown for dogs injured in previous years by dog weight:height quartiles. Odds ratios > 1.0 in gray cells indicate that previously injured dogs in the row above had a significantly higher risk of injury in the past year than those in the weight:height quartile in the column on the left. White cells indicate comparisons that were not significant.

References

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