Hip Osteoarthritis in Dogs: Study Participants needed!
A Veterinary Physiotherapy student is recruiting dogs with hip osteoarthritis to take part in a study that will help Chartered Physiotherapists like myself determine how different exercises affect the use of the hip joint muscles. With this knowledge, physiotherapists can decide on the best exercises to improve weakness in muscles affected by hip osteoarthritis and help to regain more normal movement in these dogs.
What does it involve?
Dogs will perform different exercises on the ground and on a therapy ball with the help of a physiotherapist. We will measure the activity of their muscles around the hips using surface electromyography, which is a non-painful and non-invasive tool. This requires the use of sensors that are placed on the skin over a muscle. The dog will need to be clipped over a small area of the muscle in preparation for the sensors.
The data will be recorded and analysed and the study will take place at University of Liverpool’s Leahurst Small Animal Hospital on the Wirral between December 2021 and January 2022.
Who can take part?
Dogs with confirmed hip osteoarthritis aged more than 1 years old. Your dog should currently be going for walks of between 30-90 minutes a day and should be a good healthy weight. They should also be between the size of a Cocker Spaniel and a German Shepherd. Your dog should be happy to be handled and do some basic exercises such as standing and sitting.
For more information, please email Suzanne Cottriall or Anja Otto