Development of a simple method to measure static body weight distribution in neurologically and orthopedically normal mature small breed dogs

BMC Veterinary Research, 2021 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-021-02808-x · Published: March 19, 2021

Neurology Veterinary Medicine Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study focuses on measuring how weight is distributed in healthy, small breed dogs that are prone to intervertebral disc herniation. The goal was to find a simple and reliable way to measure this weight distribution. Researchers used digital scales in different setups to measure the weight on the front and back legs of the dogs. They also compared these measurements to those obtained using a pressure-sensing walkway. The study found that using two bathroom scales, one for the front legs and one for the back legs, was the easiest and most consistent method for measuring weight distribution in these dogs.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

25 healthy, mature chondrodystrophic small breed dogs

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Using two digital bathroom scales (B2) was the simplest and most reliable technique, and resulted in a thoracic limb to pelvic limb SWD of 63–37 %.
2
The thoracic limb SWD was significantly higher for values obtained on the PSW compared to any of the scale methods (p < 0.0001).
3
The mean left to right asymmetry between the thoracic limbs was 8.7 % (SD 7.5 %), 8.6 % (SD 6.3 %) and 12.8 % (SD 9.1 %) for the B4, K4 and PSW measurement methods, respectively.

Research Summary

This study aimed to quantify static weight distribution (SWD) in neurologically normal, mature, chondrodystrophic small breed dogs using digital scales and to establish the feasibility of different scale methods. The two bathroom scales method had the highest feasibility and lowest inter-trial variability and resulted in mean thoracic and pelvic limb SWD of 63 % (SD 3 %) and 37 % (SD 3 %), respectively. SWD in a population of healthy chondrodystrophic dogs was simple to obtain using inexpensive and readily available digital scales.

Practical Implications

Clinical Application

The simple method using two bathroom scales can be easily implemented in any clinical setting to measure SWD in small breed dogs.

Baseline Data

The generated SWD data for healthy chondrodystrophic dogs provides a baseline for comparison to dogs recovering from acute intervertebral disc herniation.

Objective Outcome Measure

This technique can be used as an objective outcome measure for monitoring dogs undergoing rehabilitation from spinal cord injury.

Study Limitations

1
Behavioral issues may be more apparent in dogs that might be painful secondary to IVDH or surgery.
2
Small, random shifting between limbs might be normal in healthy dogs, contributing to variability.
3
The study was limited to dogs ranging from 5 to 20 kilograms in BW.

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