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During this exercise, the placement of the dog’s feet should be observed (165): do they point medially or laterally? Do the front feet match? Do the back feet match? Do the nails have equal wear? Are the phalanges relaxed or tight, as if it were standing on tiptoe?

Weightbearing is not just assessed at the stand, it should be observed at the ‘sit’ and ‘down’ positions. The ‘puppy sit’ is generally not acceptable in a mature dog. If the dog shows an inclination to sit or lie to one side, this may be considered to be due to a problem that is worth investigating.

164 Lifting diagonally opposite feet is a good assessment tool of approximate total balance.

The ‘look in the eye’

This can give psychological rather than physiological information, and pain perception may be reflected in the dog’s look. The ‘dead behind the eye’ look is disturbing and can be difficult for the handler to interpret (166). However, some suggest that the dog does not react to pain in the same way as humans. Nevertheless, although this is subjective, a change in the ‘look in the eye’ may be apparent after treatment, when the pain has been eased (167).

Treatment

The torpedo

Typically, the source of the problem is in the pelvic region. The dog has had to compensate for pelvic problems and has developed ‘front wheel drive’ to assist its mobility, thereby completely changing its kinetic chain resulting in lameness in the thoracic limbs, or pain detected in the cervical region.

Dogs with this condition can develop massively hypertonic necks, recruiting all the dorsal/ventral flexion and extension muscles, plus all of the lateral flexion group. The neck hypertonicity can gravitate to the occipital region and to the m. frontalis, which develops heat and tension. This can give symptoms similar to a human having a headache: being

165 Observation of the hind feet in the assessment of weightbearing when standing.

depressed, craving darkened corners, and being photosensitive. The shoulder region will be involved, with the likelihood of hypersensitivity in the dorsomedial borders of the scapulae and caudal section of the m. trapezius, probably bilaterally. The m. brachiocephalicus (m. cleidocephalicus and m. cleidobrachialis) is

painful during retraction of the thoracic limb. The pelvic area becomes hypotonic and weak due to lack of appropriate use. This is seen in all groups of dogs, but mostly in companion dogs, where minor pelvic injuries have perhaps not been picked up so quickly as in other groups. Microtrauma, and the slow but sustained

accumulation of scar tissue result in reduced function of the muscle fibres in the pelvic region (168, 169).

A programme of intensive shoulder and neck therapy, together with passive movement, should be introduced. There should also be physical therapy to assist pelvic muscular and lumbar development.

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Half moon

This is a deep lumbar problem, with massive shortening of m. psoas, m. iliacus, and m. quadratus laborum. There is stretching of the gluteals and atrophy in m. rectus abdominus; this causes the transverse abdominal and external oblique muscles to be hypertrophic. Again, due to the lack of pelvic drive, there will be shoulder involvement, too. This is particularly seen in agility, flyball, and companion dogs with underlying problems such as undiagnosed cruciate disease, osteoarthritis, or subluxating patellas.

Passive movement should be used, easing the lumbar and gluteal regions. At times when the condition is not too severe, the addition of resistive exercise, e.g. hydrotherapy, may be helpful (170, 171).

Banana

If this is caught as early as the example in Figure 161, the compensatory effects can be reduced, and the initial problem can be kept to a minimum, with unilateral involvement of m. psoas major, m. iliacus, and m. quadratus laborum (172, 173). However, if it is left untreated for some time, the other hip flexors, especially the

quadricep group and m. tensor fascia latae will become involved, greatly affecting the dog’s range of movement and flexibility.

This is seen in all groups, generally caused by a torque injury at speed, and usually because of a lack of core and general stability.

The hip flexors should be rebalanced and passive movement should be used. Resistive exercises, e.g. hydrotherapy, are indicated, as are core stability strengthening techniques.

Pelvic slide

Figures 174 and 175 depict a typical ‘pelvic slide’ shape and the problems this type of shape will present. Due to the stress caused from the shortening of the hamstring group of muscles there will be massive pivotal pressure in the pelvis, causing all of the intrinsic and extrinsic soft tissue to be involved. In response to the shortening of the hamstring group, some muscles will be constantly stretched: the quadricep group, mm. sartorius, and m. tensor fascia latae; this will also cause stress over the cranial aspect of the stifle. Stress develops at the thoraco-lumbar junction as a result of stress in the

mm. iliopsoas on both sides. The m. latissimus dorsi will also be involved, drawing fascially-related stress through from the pelvic region to the humerus, involving the thoracic region and reducing the range of movement. Due to compromised drive from the pelvic region, the thoracic region will be required to provide the forward motion, but it is

already compromised. This is mainly seen in obedience and agility dogs. Contracture of the m. gracilis can look similar; this is most common in the GSD.

These dogs are typically in a great deal of pain due to the stresses and counterstresses put on their skeletons. An easing of the shortened muscles will assist the pressure put on the whole body. This takes