Susanne Katja Lauer

Objective: This study aimed to assess whether owners of dogs with chronic paresis or paralysis experience higher caregiver burden and altered psychosocial functioning compared to owners of healthy dogs. Methods: Between August 2024 and April 2025, owners of dogs with chronic paresis/paralysis (>6 months) and healthy dogs were recruited via veterinary clinics, physiotherapy centers, university hospitals, and social media to complete an online 122-item questionnaire. The survey included lifestyle questions and validated instruments: Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Perceived Stress Scale, Centre of Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale, Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and group comparisons were performed using appropriate parametric or non-parametric tests in R. Results: The study included 67 owners of paretic/paralyzed dogs and 90 owners of healthy dogs (88.5% women; 29.3% aged 19–29). Owners of paretic/paralyzed dogs reported significantly higher ZBI scores ( p < 0.001) and lower quality of life ( p = 0.03). Caregiver burden was higher when the owner had the dog before onset of paresis/paralysis ( p < 0.001), experienced physical health complaints ( p = 0.002), or reported negative impacts of paralysis on home cleanliness ( p < 0.001). Owners who perceived their dog's quality of life as mediocre to poor showed higher ZBI scores ( p < 0.001). In contrast, owners who received positive feedback from their social environment had significantly lower caregiver burden ( p = 0.005). Conclusion: Owners of dogs with chronic paresis and paralysis face significantly higher caregiver burden. Factors such as timing of ownership, owner health, domestic hygiene, perceived canine quality of life, and social support influence caregiver stress levels.

The purpose of this study was to compare the rotational stability of cannulated compression headless screws (CCHSs) with cortical positional and lag screws in a simulated cadaveric feline sacroiliac luxation (SIL) model. Thirty-six cadavers of domestic short-haired cats were assigned to three groups. A unilateral SIL model was stabilized using either a single 2.5 mm CCHS, a 2.4 mm cortical positional screw (PS) or lag screw (LS), each engaging 60% of the sacral width. The pelves were mounted in a mechanical testing machine and loaded through the acetabulum to simulate ground reaction forces. Constant displacement was applied at 0.5 mm/s until maximal failure occurred. Yield load, ultimate load, stiffness, and failure modes were compared among the three groups. At the yield load, a statistical trend was observed among the groups, and pairwise comparison showed a significant difference between CCHS and PS. However, no significant differences were identified among the groups for yield load, ultimate load, or stiffness. All specimens failed due to screw loosening, and failure modes differed between CCHSs and cortical screws. Overall, CCHSs and cortical screws placed in a positional or lag fashion showed comparable rotational stability under the single load-to-failure conditions used in this feline SIL model. These findings question the biomechanical advantage of compression screws regarding rotational strength in unilateral feline SIL.

Objective: To evaluate the repeatability and test-retest reliability of dynamic center of pressure (COP) parameters in healthy cats walking on a pressure-sensitive treadmill. Methods: Healthy client-owned cats (n = 10) and cats housed at the Chair of Animal Nutrition and Dietetics (5) were enrolled from December 2019 through June 2021. Cats walked on a pressure-sensitive treadmill system (FDM-T-CanidGait; zebris Medical GmbH) at an individually adapted velocity. For each time point, 3 sequences of 5 valid step cycles/cat were analyzed. Center of pressure parameters were calculated paw-wise, including path length, mean velocity, mediolateral and craniocaudal displacement, and the area of the 95% confidence ellipse. Measurements were repeated within 2 weeks. Data were analyzed using a robust linear mixed-effects model and estimated marginal means. Results: COP path length decreased significantly in the forelimbs between time points (mean difference, 0.17 cm [5.3%]; small to moderate effect size) in cats with a mean age of 4.2 ± 1.8 years and weighing 4.8 ± 0.8 kg. In the hind limbs, COP velocity increased (−0.19 cm/s [−2.8%]; small effect size). Craniocaudal displacement decreased in the hind limbs (1.42%; small to moderate effect size). All other parameters did not change significantly. Conclusions: COP parameters demonstrated good test-retest reliability and repeatability in healthy cats. The observed changes likely reflect subtle adaptation, but further research is needed to evaluate learning effects in different feline populations. Clinical Relevance: COP measurements obtained during treadmill walking may serve as a reliable tool for assessing gait stability and postural control in cats.

Objectives: In human medicine, limb amputation affects caregiver psychosocial burden. This study assessed caregiver burden in owners of dogs following limb amputation. Materials and methods: From March to September 2024, owners of healthy dogs with limb loss (> 6 months) and owners of healthy dogs without limb amputation (control dogs) were recruited via veterinary clinics, physiotherapy practices, university hospitals and social media to complete an online questionnaire. The 115-item survey included general questions on daily life and validated instruments assessing caregiver burden and psychosocial functioning: Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Perceived Stress Scale, Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale, Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and group comparisons (Chi-Squared, Mann–Whitney U test and Students t -test) were performed in R. Results: Seventy-six owners of dogs with limb amputation (hindlimb: n = 35; forelimb: n = 41) and 74 owners of control dogs completed the survey (90.7% women; 70.7% aged 19–49). ZBI and other scores did not differ significantly between groups. Caregiver demographics (age, gender, relationship status, profession, number of caregivers) and dog-related factors (age at amputation, reason, leg affected, size, weight, adoption status) showed no significant effect on ZBI-scores. Higher ZBI-scores were reported when dogs could no longer hike ( p = 0.05), and lower scores when caregivers received positive social feedback ( p = 0.02). Prosthesis use ( p = 0.02), low prosthesis acceptance ( p = 0.04) or use of assistive devices ( p = 0.02) were associated with higher caregiver burden. Conclusion: Most caregivers of canine amputees do not report elevated caregiver burden. However, functional changes in the dog and social or assistive factors were associated with caregiver experience.

Introduction: Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is used as an adjunctive treatment for canine osteoarthritis (OA), but its effects in dogs with treatment-refractory advanced disease remain unclear. This study compared the efficacy of one versus two sessions of focused ESWT administered approximately 28 days apart in dogs with refractory elbow or stifle OA. Methods: In this randomized, double-blinded clinical trial, twenty-four client-owned dogs with treatment-refractory elbow (n = 12) or stifle (n = 12) osteoarthritis received ESWT using an identical per-session protocol (X-Trode, 1000 pulses at 0.14 mJ/mm²; PulseVet-Zomedica, Ann Arbor, MI, USA), once (Group L) or twice (Group E). Orthopedic examination, goniometric and limb circumference measurements, and kinetic gait analysis (peak vertical pressure [PVP], vertical impulse [VI]) were performed on days 0, 28, and 56. Owner questionnaires (Canine Brief Pain Inventory [CBPI], Client Specific Outcome Measures [CSOM]) were collected on days 0, 28, 56, and 84. Data were analyzed using chi-squared tests, t-tests, and mixed effects models in R. Results: Age, weight, BCS, and radiographic osteoarthritis severity did not differ between groups at baseline. Improvement was small and limited to selected parameters. Vertical impulse and limb circumference increased more consistently in Group E, whereas peak vertical pressure increased in both groups, including before ESWT in Group L. No sustained or treatment-associated improvement was detected in symmetry variables or joint range of motion. Owner-reported outcomes showed variable patterns without consistent treatment effects. ESWT was well tolerated, and no major adverse events occurred. Conclusion: ESWT produced modest, inconsistent improvements in dogs with treatment-refractory OA, with slightly more consistent effects following two sessions. Therapeutic efficacy appeared limited in this end-stage population.

Background: Posturographic balance assessments are increasingly used in veterinary medicine, yet potential learning effects during evaluation remain unstudied. This study investigated learning effects in static, slow-dynamic, and fast-dynamic posturography using a modified Posturomed platform in healthy dogs. Material and methods: Healthy adult dogs ( n = 20) were positioned longitudinally on a pressure sensitive modified balance platform (Posturomed-FDM-JS, Zebris, Isny, Germany). Five static, slow-dynamic and fast-dynamic posturographic trials were recorded (duration: 20s) and repeated three times over three weeks. Center of pressure (COP) parameters—COP-path-length (PL, mm), 95% COP-confidence-ellipse-area (CEA, mm ² ) and COP-average-velocity (AV, mm/sec) were analyzed over five steady-state 5-s intervals per trial. Data were analyzed using generalised linear or robust linear mixed-effects models with random effects on the individual dog; p-values were adjusted using the Tukey method for multiple comparisons. Results: Under static conditions, none of the COP-parameters differed significantly across time points (all p -values > 0.448). Under slow-dynamic conditions, all COP-parameters decreased significantly between time points 1 and 2 (all p values < 0.0007) but remained stable thereafter (all p -values > 0.159). Under fast-dynamic conditions, all COP-parameters decreased significantly from time point to time point (all p -values < 0.034), except for CEA between time points 1 and 3 ( p = 0.0759) and 2 and 3 ( p = 0.999). Differences among trials occurred only at the first time point under dynamic conditions and were more pronounced under fast-dynamic conditions. Conclusions: No learning effects were observed during static posturography in healthy adult dogs. However, training effects must be considered in both slow- and fast-dynamic posturography.

Various accelerometers offer to monitor sleep efficiency in dogs, but the underlying proprietary algorithms are not usually revealed. The aim of this pilot study was to achieve insights on the performance of an omnidirectional accelerometer to document sleeping and resting periods in dogs with a simple binary cut-off (0 cpm; ≥1 cpm) and the interference of movements. All data were acquired with a neck collar-mounted accelerometer (Actical^®; Philips Respironics Inc., Murrysville, PA, USA) that provides access to raw data. Ten privately owned dogs (6 dogs with and 4 dogs without movements during sleep) were monitored shortly before, during and after their sleeping and resting periods. Experienced observers documented any visible movement and the corresponding behavioral state continuously for each minute as apparent sleep (eyes closed, regular breathing pattern), rest (eyes open), awake and alert. Total observation time was 2633 min, and 32 sleeping and resting periods were monitored. Zero accelerometer counts per minute documented the combined sleeping and resting periods with a sensitivity of 94.0% and specificity of 96.1% but could not differentiate between apparent sleeping and resting with eyes closed or open. Mild movements during sleep did not interfere with the recordings. The pilot data obtained in this study supports further investigation of this approach to document sleeping and resting periods over prolonged periods in individual dogs.

Reliable, standardized balance tests for dogs are not available yet. The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability of static and dynamic posturography in healthy dogs. Healthy dogs (n = 20) were positioned with four paws longitudinally and with the forepaws only transversely on a modified pressure-sensitive balance platform (Posturomed-FDM-JS, Zebris, Isny, Germany). Three static and dynamic posturographic trials were recorded (recording duration: 20 s) and repeated after 7–14 days. Center of pressure (COP) parameters COP-path-length (PL; mm), 95% COP-confidence-ellipse-area (CEA; mm²), and COP-average-velocity (AV; mm/s) were calculated for the first steady-state 5 s intervals of each trial. The reliability of COP parameters was assessed with robust linear mixed effects models with nested random effects of patient and trial. The training effect was analyzed using Cohen’s d. For static posturography, PL, CEA, and AV did not differ significantly between time points; CEA had the highest reliability (p = 0.92). For dynamic posturography, AV and PL differed significantly between time points (AV: p ≤ 0.043; PL: p ≤ 0.045). Slight training effects were observed for transverse positioning (Cohen’s d: PL 0.65; AV 0.267) and moderate training effects for longitudinal positioning (Cohen’s d: PL: 0.772; AV: 0.783). This study showed that static posturography on a modified Posturomed-balance platform was reliable in healthy dogs but indicated training effects during dynamic posturography.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common and debilitating condition in domestic dogs. Alongside pharmaceutical interventions and weight loss, exercise and physiotherapy (PT) are important measures in maintaining patient mobility and quality of life. Physiotherapy for OA aims to reduce pain, optimize muscular function and maintain joint function. Physiotherapeutic plans typically include PT exercises combined with therapeutic modalities, lifestyle and environmental modifications to improve the patient’s overall quality of life and function. Information on therapeutic clinical efficacy of physiotherapeutic measures for canine OA is still very limited. Thus, physiotherapeutic strategies are still primarily based on evidence extrapolated from human protocols tailored to people with OA. The authors propose a simple systematic PT approach for canine OA, prioritizing measures according to simplicity, cost effectiveness and practicality. This guide (the “Physiotherapy Pyramid”) aims to provide a clear stratified approach to simplify decision making and planning for owners, veterinarians and veterinary physiotherapists, leading to more straightforward design and implementation of treatment plans. Measures are implemented starting at the base of the pyramid, subsequently progressing to the top, allowing effective and practical interventions to be prioritized. The levels of the pyramid are in ascending order: environmental modification, exercise plan, OA-specific home exercises and treatment by a veterinary physiotherapist.

Objective: Betahistine is frequently used in the pharmacotherapy for Menière’s Disease (MD). Little is known about its mode of action and prescribed dosages vary. While betahistine had an increasing effect on cochlear microcirculation in earlier studies, low dose betahistine of 0.01 mg/kg bw or less was not able to effect this. Selegiline inhibits monoaminooxidase B and therefore potentially the breakdown of betahistine. The goal of this study was to examine whether the addition of selegiline to low dose betahistine leads to increased cochlear blood flow. Methods: Twelve Dunkin-Hartley guinea pigs were anesthetized, the cochlea was exposed and a window opened to the stria vascularis. Blood plasma was visualized by injecting fluoresceinisothiocyanate-dextrane and vessel diameter and erythrocyte velocity were evaluated over 20 minutes. One group received low dose betahistine (0.01 mg/kg bw) and selegiline (1 mg/kg bw) i.v. while the other group received only selegiline (1 mg/kg bw) and saline (0.9% NaCl) as placebo i.v. Results: Cochlear microcirculation increased significantly ( P < .001) in guinea pigs treated with low dose betahistine combined with selegiline by up to 58.3 ± 38.7% above baseline over a period of up to 11 minutes. In one guinea pig, the increase was 104.6%. Treatment with Selegiline alone did not affect microcirculation significantly. Conclusions: Low dose betahistine increased cochlear microcirculation significantly when combined with selegiline. This should be investigated in further studies regarding dose-effect relation in comparison to betahistine alone. Side effects, in particular regarding circulation, should be considered carefully in view of the clinical applicability of a combination therapy in patients with MD.