Clean Run - December 2012 - 45

Dr. Gaynor says it is more difficult to detect the exact problem in a conformation dog than in a canine athlete, because you also have to evaluate the handler’s technique. A tight leash can affect the gait substantially. The gait analysis is simply a diagnostic tool. Dr. Gaynor was attending a veterinary orthopedic society meeting and met the developer of the system, who was investigating its use in canine medicine. Though the product wasn’t quite ready for marketing, Dr. Gaynor and his clinic began to use it and offer feedback to perfect the system. “I’m always looking for another tool for early diagnosis and treatment,” he said. The original data was compiled from 65 Labrador Retrievers. After doing thousands of dogs, including bulldogs and bassets, Dr. Gaynor says the only breed whose gait differs from the computer’s “normal” is the protectiontrained Belgian Malinois. They put more pressure on their front ends.

It is standard for a dog to deviate from normal by about 10%. More deviation indicates a problem. By reading the computer printout, Dr. Gaynor can tell where the problem may be—front or hind end. Once he identifies a problem, Dr. Gaynor does a physical exam, and may order x-rays. If the dog flinches when its back is pressed, it is sore. Muscular back pain is usually secondary to joint pain. One competitor knew her dog was “off ” but no one had been able to pinpoint the reason for the subtle but detectable lameness. The analysis showed gait abnormality in the left front leg. The pain was pinpointed to the left shoulder, and more specifically, to the left biceps tendon. The next step is to apply a 4B cold laser to the back. Within minutes, the laser relaxes trigger points in the muscle, relieving pain at least temporarily. It usually takes several treatments to resolve the pain, with gait analysis in

between to make sure the treatment is working. Laser treatment can act like a local anesthetic in some cases, Dr. Gaynor said, preventing transmission of pain signals. Different laser wavelengths can have a wound healing or antiinflammatory effect. “Once I treat a dog at an agility event, the owners usually come back daily or even twice daily during the event for more treatment,” Dr. Gaynor said. After diagnosing the problem and relieving the pain, Dr. Gaynor recommends a three-pronged approach to treatment: pain control, strength training, and cartilage protection. “Our goal is arthritis prevention,” he said. “A dog affected by arthritis doesn’t have to quit performing, but you have to manage the problem.” His preferred cartilage protection is Cosequin, produced by Nutramax labs. Dr. Gaynor says it is the only glucosamine/condroitin product

Eighty-ﬁve percent of dogs whose handlers think they are normal have a problem,” he said. “Most agility dogs have some back pain. The repetitive weave poles and front-end landings are stressful to the neck and back. Dogs tend to hide pain. Once lameness shows, the dog is beyond the ability to hide it.

December 12

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Clean Run - December 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - December 2012