Dynamic and Postural Changes in Forelimb Amputee Dogs: A Pilot Study

Abstract

The amputation of a limb in quadrupeds can overload the remaining limbs, especially the contralateral one. The compensatory effort is especially high if it is a forelimb. It is, therefore, important to objectively know the changes in weight redistribution that occur in the animal while walking and standing still. With this objective, static (postural) and dynamic kinetic examinations were carried out on five French bulldogs with an amputated forelimb and five intact French bulldogs. For this examination, force and pressure platforms were used. The results were statistically compared using the student t-test. The parameters derived from the ground reaction forces were significantly higher in the amputee group. Surprisingly, postural examination showed that amputated dogs reached the same stability as healthy ones. Tripedal support in dogs does not objectively imply a loss of balance in quantitative terms; although the increase in force used by the remaining limb, as well as its altered cranial disposition during the support phase, may potentially predispose the animal to additional injuries in the future due to an overuse of different musculoskeletal units.

Keywords: dog; force; limb amputation; pressure.

Figure 1

Force platform recording of an amputee dog. Horizontal forces and impulses are represented.

Figure 2

Postural exam of an amputee dog. Note that the leash around the neck is loose.

Figure 3

Statokinesiogram of a sound dog. Note the laterolateral orientation of the ellipse.

Figure 4

Statokinesiogram of an amputee dog. Note the craniocaudal orientation of the ellipse.

Figure 5

Paw pressure recorded during the support phase of a sound dog. The consecutive pink dots represent the COP pathway. The top of the image is cranial, bottom is caudal, right is medial and left is lateral. Note that the pathway starts at the center of the paw and runs cranially.

Figure 6

Paw pressure recorded during support phase of an amputee dog. The consecutive pink dots represent the COP pathway. The top of the image is cranial, bottom is caudal, right is medial and left is lateral Note that the pathway starts more caudally at the level of the metacarpal pad and runs cranially; this proves that when the limb makes contact with the ground, it is placed more cranially than sound forelimbs.