Orthopedic and ultrasonographic examination findings in 128 shoulders of 64 ultra‐endurance Alaskan sled dogs. Issue 4 (8th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: von Pfeil, Dirsko J. F.; Davis, Michael S.; Liska, William D.; George, Clinton; Secrest, Scott
• Is Part Of: Veterinary surgery. Volume 50:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 794
• Page End: 806
• Publication Date: 2021-03-08
• Subjects: Veterinary surgery -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine -- Periodicals; Surgery -- Periodicals; Societies, Medical -- Periodicals; 636.0897
• DOI: 10.1111/vsu.13621
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0161-3499

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To determine the location and periarticular shoulder‐muscle‐abnormalities detected via orthopedic examinations and ultrasonography in ultra‐endurance Alaskan sled‐dogs, returned from an ultra‐endurance sled‐dog‐race prior to finishing it. Study Design: Prospective clinical study. Sample Population: Sixty‐four dogs (128 shoulders). Methods: Dogs were classified based on clinical evidence of shoulder pain (SP versus control). Orthopedic examination findings, shoulder‐abduction‐angles (SAA; before‐ and during‐anesthesia), and ultrasonographic findings were recorded. Relationships between orthopedic and ultrasonographic abnormalities were compared. Results: Pain was elicited on 55/128 shoulders; 73 shoulders were pain‐free. The most common painful structures included the biceps‐tendon (BT; 30%), triceps‐muscle (28%), and infraspinatus‐muscle (25%). SAA ranged between 25° and 75° among groups, including pain‐free shoulders in dogs without lameness. SAA was greater when dogs were anesthetized (46.3° ± 14.0° vs. 47.8° ± 12.0°; p = .03), especially in SP (mean increase of 3.49° ± 8.85°) compared to control (0.03° ± 7.71°, p = .009). Overall, 103 ultrasonographic abnormalities were detected (SP: 44; control: 59). The most common ultrasonographic abnormality was fluid surrounding the biceps tendon, similarly distributed between groups (SP: 39/44; control: 57/59). Most chronic ultrasonographic abnormalities affected the BT (15/103 abnormalities). No associations were detected between ultrasonographic abnormalities and clinical findings. Conclusion: Shoulder abduction varied greatly and reached up to 75° in normal joints. Ultrasonographic shoulder‐muscle abnormalities were common but did not seem associated with clinical findings. Clinical significance: Interpretation of shoulder abduction warrants caution, and the presence of fluid around the BT may reflect a physiologic adaptation to racing, rather than a pathologic change in ultra‐endurance Alaskan sled‐dogs.