Isaksen Katja E, Linney Lori, Williamson Helen, Cave Nick J, Norman Elizabeth J, Cogger Naomi
School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Vetlife, Timaru, New Zealand.
Front Vet Sci. 2020 Oct 16;7:624. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00624. eCollection 2020.
Musculoskeletal injury and disease are common in dogs, and a major cause of retirement in working dogs. Many livestock farmers rely on dogs for the effective running of their farms. However, the incidence of musculoskeletal disease has not been explored in working farm dogs. Here we explore the occurrence of musculoskeletal abnormalities in 323 working farm dogs that were enrolled in TeamMate, a longitudinal study of working farm dogs in New Zealand. All dogs were free of musculoskeletal abnormalities on enrolment to the study and were present for at least one follow-up examination. During the follow-up period, 184 dogs (57%, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 52%-62%) developed at least one musculoskeletal abnormality during 4,508 dog-months at risk, corresponding to 4.1 dogs (95% CI = 3.5-4.7) with recorded abnormalities per 100 dog-months at risk. The most common abnormalities were reduced range of motion and swelling of the carpus or stifle, while the hip was the most common site of pain. No major differences in incidence rate (IR) between sexes or types of dogs were observed, though Huntaways had a slightly lower rate of carpal abnormalities than Heading dogs (IR ratio = 0.6, 95% CI = 0.3-1.0). Eighty-one of 119 dogs (68%, 95% CI = 60%-76%) that had a first musculoskeletal abormality developed a second abnormality. The most common type of abnormality that was seen in the same dog more than once was reduced range of motion in the carpus (14 of 119 dogs, 12%, 95% CI = 6%-18%). Although we do not provide data on diagnoses, the high incidence rate of recorded musculoskeletal abnormalities and dogs' high activity mean it is likely that working farm dogs are at a high risk of conditions that could impair their welfare and reduce the lengths of their working careers. Preventing and managing musculoskeletal injury and illness should be a priority for owners and veterinarians caring for working farm dogs.
肌肉骨骼损伤和疾病在犬类中很常见，是工作犬退役的主要原因。许多牧场主依靠犬类来有效经营他们的农场。然而，工作农场犬的肌肉骨骼疾病发病率尚未得到研究。在此，我们对参与“队友”项目的323只工作农场犬的肌肉骨骼异常情况进行了研究，该项目是对新西兰工作农场犬的一项纵向研究。所有犬只在纳入研究时均无肌肉骨骼异常，且至少参加了一次随访检查。在随访期间，184只犬（57%，95%置信区间（CI）=52%-62%）在4508个犬月的风险期内出现了至少一种肌肉骨骼异常，相当于每100个犬月的风险期内有4.1只犬（95%CI=3.5-4.7）出现有记录的异常。最常见的异常是腕关节或膝关节活动范围减小和肿胀，而髋关节是最常见的疼痛部位。未观察到性别或犬种之间的发病率（IR）有重大差异，不过汉塔威犬的腕关节异常发生率略低于牧犬（IR比=0.6，95%CI=0.3-1.0）。119只首次出现肌肉骨骼异常的犬中有81只（68%，95%CI=60%-76%）出现了第二次异常。同一只犬多次出现的最常见异常类型是腕关节活动范围减小（119只犬中有14只，12%，95%CI=6%-18%）。虽然我们没有提供诊断数据，但有记录的肌肉骨骼异常的高发病率以及犬类的高活动量表明，工作农场犬很可能面临着可能损害其福利并缩短其工作生涯长度的疾病的高风险。预防和管理肌肉骨骼损伤和疾病应是照顾工作农场犬的主人和兽医的首要任务。
