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The thesis is an investigation of the use of a treadmill with integrated force plates (TM) for kinetic gait analysis of sound and lame dogs at a trot. Our objectives were to assess the feasibility and ease of data collection for sound and lame dogs at a trot using TM and to compare the mean peak vertical force (mPVF) obtained with this system to the mPVF obtained on a single piezoelectric force platform (FP). A secondary objective was to report the inter-step variability associated with each testing system for both sound and lame dogs and to assess the effect of lameness on this parameter. Our hypothesis was that the treadmill-force plate system would accurately reproduce mPVF at a trot for sound and lame dogs as compared to the piezoelectric force platform with high concordance and correlation coefficients and that the treadmill with integrated force plates would represent an effective instrument for canine kinetic gait analysis. Six sound dogs and six dogs with a grade 2/5 forelimb lameness were trained and acclimatized on both systems and assigned an individual target velocity (1.8-2.2 m/s) based on treadmill training. Mean PVF measurements were obtained for both TM and FP. Subject velocity and acceleration was controlled by belt speed on TM and restricted to 0.25 M/s above or below the individual assigned target velocity, acceleration was limited to +/- 0.3 M/s2. The treadmill with integrated force plates provided rapid mPVF measurements with good concordance for the hind limbs and substantial concordance for the forelimbs in both sound and lame dogs at a trot as compared to single piezoelectric force plate. Both systems demonstrated excellent inter-step variability for both lame and sound dogs. Based on theses results, the hypothesis that mean peak vertical force as measured on a treadmill with integrated force plates would demonstrate high concordance and correlation with mean peak vertical force obtained with a single piezoelectric force plate for sound and lame dogs at a trot was accepted.

Intervertebral disk disease is a common neurological disease of dogs, especially chondrodystrophoid breeds, which is often treated with corticosteroids and surgical decompression. Historically, the combination of corticosteroids and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was contraindicated due to the potential for gastrointestinal side effects. A better understanding of the pathophysiology of NSAID-mediated gastric mucosal injury has led to the development of NSAIDs with less gastrointestinal side effects. These new NSAIDs may have utility in the treatment of post-operative pain in cases of IVDD. However, it is not known if the combination of these newer NSAIDs and corticosteroids is safe.;The objective of this study was to evaluate the gastrointestinal safety, with respect to gastric ulceration and erosions, of the concurrent use of meloxicam and dexamethasone administered for three days to healthy dogs. The study utilized twenty conditioned, purpose-bred research beagles.;Seven days prior to treatment, the dogs were anesthetized for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Two investigators scored five regions of the gastroduodenum. The dogs were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: (1) Saline injections; (2) saline/meloxicam; (3) dexamethasone/saline and (4) dexamethasone/meloxicam. The investigators were blinded as to the group assignment. On days 1, 2 and 3, the dogs received either dexamethasone or saline injections twice daily. On days 2, 3 and 4, the dogs received either meloxicam or saline injections once daily. On day 2, the dogs were anesthetized for a sham surgery (stimulation with a Grass stimulator). On day 5 the gastroduodenum of each dog was re-evaluated and scored by endoscopy and biopsy.;The total endoscopic score of the dexamethasone/meloxicam group was significantly greater than the other groups. The dexamethasone group had a mean cumulative score that was significantly greater than the meloxicam or saline groups. The meloxicam group was not significantly different from the saline group. There were no significant histological differences between groups.;In healthy dogs, meloxicam appears to be safe with regards to its gastrointestinal side effects. Dexamethasone caused more erosions than meloxicam alone. Dexamethasone and meloxicam used concurrently are more likely to cause gastric erosions. Although the lesions were mild in nature, the simultaneous use of dexamethasone and meloxicam is not recommended at this time.