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Simple Summary: Physical activity is often associated with stress and production of radical oxygen species able to alter the composition of the intestinal microbiota. Usually, sporting dogs present gastrointestinal disorders with a dysbiotic intestinal ecosystem; this alteration is also found in various pathological states. To date, it is not yet clear whether dysbiosis is a cause or a consequence of disease. Given the importance of reducing the damage of an intestinal imbalance as much as possible, we evaluated the effectiveness of a specific nutraceutical product, Microbiotal cane®, in limiting the dysbiotic condition found in sporting dogs. The results obtained from the present study show the ability of Microbiotal cane® to maintain the concentration of beneficial bacterial species like Faecalibacterium spp., Turicibacter spp., Fusobacterium spp., and Clostridium hiranonis, reducing the increase in the harmful ones like Streptococcus spp. and E. coli usually found increased in athlete dogs. Additionally, the dysbiosis index reports a value lower than zero, falling within the normobiosis values, which was not observed in dogs that were not taking the nutraceutical product. Dog sledding is the main discipline of working dogs on snow, consisting of a team of dogs pulling a sled under the guidance of the owner. To carry out this sport, dogs must have adequate nutrition and vitamin and antioxidant supplementation to ensure that the physical effort is optimal. The present study evaluated the effect that sporting activity and stress have on the canine intestinal microbiota by dividing the dogs into two groups: a control group that did not take any nutraceutical products and the treated group to which a nutraceutical product was administered. The nutraceutical administered in this study is used in all cases of canine intestinal dysbiosis in which it is essential to quickly restore a balanced intestinal microbiota. The results obtained show that in dogs not taking the nutraceutical, there is an increase in bacteria, such as Streptococcus spp. and E. coli, considered enteropathogenic to the detriment of beneficial bacterial species such as Faecalibacterium spp., Turicibacter spp., Blautia spp., Fusobacterium spp., and Clostridium hiranonis. Instead, the group of dogs treated with nutraceutical displays a lower amount of enteropathogenic bacteria and a great increase in the other bacterial species considered beneficial for the animal's health. The results obtained in the present study show that Microbiotal cane® can be used in dogs subject to intense sporting activity by preventing severe alterations at intestinal ecosystem levels by maintaining intestinal bacterial composition as balanced as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical records from three veterinary referral centres and a university veterinary teaching hospital in Australia and the USA were reviewed to identify dogs with a diagnosis of distal gastrocnemius musculotendinous junction rupture (DGMJR) that were treated without surgery between 2007 and 2020. All dogs (n = 11) presented with unilateral, pelvic limb lameness and bruising, swelling or pain on palpation at the distal musculotendinous junction. The diagnosis was confirmed with ultrasound or MRI in six dogs; radiographs were used to excluded stifle and tarsus pathology in four dogs; and five dogs were diagnosed on physical examination findings. All dogs were managed conservatively, either with complete confinement alone (n = 10; median 9 weeks), external coaptation alone (n = 1), or a combination of both (n = 4). Sporting dogs (n = 7) were completely confined (median 22 weeks) for longer periods than companion dogs (n = 3; median 5 weeks). A good to excellent outcome was achieved for all cases in this cohort. The seven sporting dogs achieved an excellent outcome; returning to their previous level of sport, with complete resolution of lameness and recovery of a normal tibiotarsal stance. The four companion dogs achieved a good outcome; returning to their previous level of activity but with persistently increased tibiotarsal standing angle compared to the contralateral limb. Conservative treatment represents a viable treatment option for dogs with a rupture of the gastrocnemius muscle at its distal musculotendinous junction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Injuries to sporting dogs are becoming frequent, and precise knowledge of all of the anatomical structures involved in sport-related traumas is mandatory to achieve the optimum treatment for each case. In this case report, injury to the common digital extensor tendon of digits III and IV of the forelimb is reported for the first time, highlighting analogies with a similar pathology described in human athletes, called boxer's knuckle. Injuries to canine athletes are becoming more and more frequent, and perfect knowledge of all injury-prone anatomic structures is mandatory to achieve correct diagnoses and treatments. In this small case series discussion, trauma-based injury to the common digital extensor tendon of digits III and IV of the forelimb is described for the first time. The anatomy as well as the clinical and ultrasonographic findings show similarities to the human spectrum of pathologies called boxer's knuckle. The treatment options with a buddy taping technique led to a satisfactory outcome at three months from trauma, without a history of re-injury. Injuries to the extensor compartment of the forepaw should be considered in cases of forelimb lameness with dorsal metacarpophalangeal swelling in sporting patients, especially with a history of blunt force traumas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveTo explore physical activity patterns, including conditioning exercise and sport-specific training, and management routines utilized by handlers of Swedish sporting and working dogs participating in agility, obedience, rally obedience and working trial disciplines.ProceduresDog handlers provided information on competition-level dogs through an internet-based cross-sectional and descriptive survey on physical activity, sport-specific training and management. Results are reported overall and stratified by participation in specific disciplines.ResultsWe received 1615 replies to the questionnaire. After data cleaning, 1582 dogs (98%) remained for the analysis. Of these, 430 participated in agility, 790 in obedience, 596 in rally obedience, and 847 dogs had competed in a working trial, i.e., messenger, protection, search or tracking. Number of disciplines performed by each dog varied between one and five. Most common was participation in one (n = 767, 48%) or two (n = 541, 34%) disciplines. Out of the dogs competing in one discipline, 38% (n = 294) were considered to be specialized as they actively trained only that discipline for ≥10 months per year. The vast majority of the dogs (n = 1129, 71%) received more than 1 h of daily physical activity, e.g., walks, and only n = 51 (3%) were never exercised off-leash. Preferred self-selected gait was trot (n = 907, 57%) and gallop (n = 499, 32%). A fifth (n = 319, 20%) never played with other dogs. The majority (n = 1328, 84%) received more than 1 h of vigorous physical conditioning exercise per week. Almost three quarters (n = 1119, 71%) participated in physical conditioning exercise. Two thirds (n = 953, 60%) participated in at least 3 h of sport-specific training per week and only a very small portion (n = 35, 2%) trained their specific discipline less than once per week. Median total work load, i.e., all daily physical activity, vigorous physical conditioning exercise and sport-specific training, was 16.5 h per week.Conclusion and clinical relevanceWe observe physical activity at moderate to high durations and moderate to vigorous intensities among Swedish sporting and working trial dogs. Most dogs received physical conditioning exercise, but not all dogs were warmed up before training and competition. Our study provides veterinary professionals and dog trainers with valuable insights on the physical exposures and management routines of sporting and working trial dogs.

Abstract Regular exercise improves the health status of dogs; however, extreme exertion in the absence of adequate fluid and electrolyte replacement may negatively impact health and performance due to dehydration and cardiovascular stress. Unlike humans and horses, dogs thermoregulate predominantly through respiration and salivation, yet there is a dearth of literature defining exercise‐induced changes to canine salivary electrolytes. The study objective was to investigate the effects of exercise on salivary electrolyte concentrations, and to determine if adaptations may occur in response to incremental conditioning in client‐owned Siberian Huskies. Sixteen dogs were used, with an average age of 4.8 ± 2.5 years and body weight of 24.3 ± 4.3 kg. A 12‐week exercise regimen was designed to increase in distance each week, but weather played a role in setting the daily distance. Saliva samples were collected at weeks 0 (pre‐run, 5.7 km), 5 (pre‐run, 5.7, 39.0 km), and 11 (pre‐run, 5.7, 39.0 km). Samples were analyzed for sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous using photometric and indirect ion‐selective electrode analysis. When compared across weeks, sodium, chloride, potassium, and calcium concentrations did not differ at any sampling time point; however, phosphorus and magnesium concentrations increased from baseline. Data were then pooled across weeks to evaluate changes due to distance and level of conditioning. Sodium, chloride, and magnesium concentrations increased progressively with distance ran, suggesting that these electrolytes are primarily being lost as exercising dogs salivate. Repletion of these minerals may assist in preventing exercise‐induced electrolyte imbalance in physically active dogs.

Regular exercise improves the health status of dogs; however, extreme exertion in the absence of adequate fluid and electrolyte replacement may negatively impact health and performance due to dehydration and cardiovascular stress. Unlike humans and horses, dogs thermoregulate predominantly through respiration and salivation, yet there is a dearth of literature defining exercise‐induced changes to canine salivary electrolytes. The study objective was to investigate the effects of exercise on salivary electrolyte concentrations, and to determine if adaptations may occur in response to incremental conditioning in client‐owned Siberian Huskies. Sixteen dogs were used, with an average age of 4.8 ± 2.5 years and body weight of 24.3 ± 4.3 kg. A 12‐week exercise regimen was designed to increase in distance each week, but weather played a role in setting the daily distance. Saliva samples were collected at weeks 0 (pre‐run, 5.7 km), 5 (pre‐run, 5.7, 39.0 km), and 11 (pre‐run, 5.7, 39.0 km). Samples were analyzed for sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous using photometric and indirect ion‐selective electrode analysis. When compared across weeks, sodium, chloride, potassium, and calcium concentrations did not differ at any sampling time point; however, phosphorus and magnesium concentrations increased from baseline. Data were then pooled across weeks to evaluate changes due to distance and level of conditioning. Sodium, chloride, and magnesium concentrations increased progressively with distance ran, suggesting that these electrolytes are primarily being lost as exercising dogs salivate. Repletion of these minerals may assist in preventing exercise‐induced electrolyte imbalance in physically active dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dog obedience competition is an understudied area of canine kinematic research. Consequently, little is understood about the potential welfare considerations of competing in such disciplines. This study examined correlations between the dog's head position and judges' scores during an obedience heelwork test. Dartfish was used to analyse head and neck positions of obedience dogs whilst completing a heelwork test in competition. The study found no correlation between judges scores and the apparent head and neck angle of the dogs during heelwork. There was also no correlation between head and neck position of the dogs and the time taken to complete the heelwork test. Study findings demonstrate that more acute hyperextension of the dog's neck during heelwork is not being selected for by judges. Thus, more research is needed to examine where the desire for apparent hyperextension is originating from and indeed the welfare implications of such positions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pet nutrition has undergone many improvements over recent decades and the benefits of this are plain to see. Today's pets live longer and enjoy better health. However, at the same time, some conditions such as obesity and associated diseases have increased in prevalence, with energy-dense, good-tasting foods and a more sedentary lifestyle implicated as risk factors. There are now diets emerging to take account of these and other lifestyle factors, and decisions on what and how to feed a pet should take into account both the animal's lifestage and lifestyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]