Abstract
Abstract Objectives This work sought to determine the prognosis for dogs for return to athletic function in canine agility competitions after digit amputation. Materials and Methods Data were collected using an Internet-based survey of owners of agility dogs with digit disorders that required amputation. Signalment and physical characteristics were compared between dogs with traumatic and nontraumatic disorders. Athletic performance before and after amputation was assessed subjectively by owner opinion and objectively for eight dogs using competition performance records. Results Problems leading to digit amputation in 46 dogs included acute or chronic traumatic lesions (30 dogs), infection (7 dogs), neoplasia (7 dogs), and cystic lesions (2 dogs). There were no differences in signalment or physical characteristics between dogs with traumatic and nontraumatic disorders. Of the 46 dogs, 39 (84.7%) had returned to agility at the time of the survey and 94.6% of the owners (37/39) were satisfied with performance after amputation. No dog failed to return to agility as a result of the digit disorder or amputation. There was no difference in mean competition speed before and after amputation. Clinical Significance Most agility dogs undergoing digit amputation perform satisfactorily after surgery, although modifications to performance criteria may be appropriate for some.
Highlights
As the popularity of canine agility competitions has increased, there has been a concomitant increased interest in methods to improve diagnosis and treatment of agilityassociated injuries in dogs
Problems leading to digit amputation in 46 dogs included acute or chronic traumatic lesions (30 dogs), infection (7 dogs), neoplasia (7 dogs), and cystic lesions (2 dogs)
Most affected dogs return to athletic performance after conservative therapy
Summary
As the popularity of canine agility competitions has increased, there has been a concomitant increased interest in methods to improve diagnosis and treatment of agilityassociated injuries in dogs. One-third of agility dogs experience one or more injury during their competitive career with more than a quarter of those dogs having more than one injury.[1] The most common anatomical sites of injury in agility dogs include shoulders, back, neck, and phalanges.[1,2,3] Risk factors for digit injuries in dogs training and competing in agility have been described.[4] Owners received December 21, 2020 accepted after revision February 23, 2021.
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