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OUR IMPACT ON PETS

The ACT was delighted to support our Early use of the treadmill supported the the clinical journey for the patient, undergraduate
RVC neurology and orthopaedics services observation of a dog that had gait analysis vet and nurse students, postgraduate (interns
by funding new gait analysis equipment. repeated one month after a steroid epidural and residents) and registered veterinary nurses,
Subjective assessment of how a dog walks injection. The main purpose of this was to assess will be exposed to using a scientific approach
using visual scoring has been shown the improvement of the weight distribution to clinical cases, and given the opportunity to
to be highly inaccurate and unreliable, on its four legs and how symmetrical its gait undertake research projects using the data
even when performed by experienced became following the treatment. The owner output, to answer important questions about
specialists. For meaningful clinical reported hardly any benefits and they felt the diseases and treatments.
research in orthopaedics, neurology lameness was still evident. However, the dynamic We are delighted to showcase some of the pets
and musculoskeletal pain, objective gait gait analysis showed marked improvement that have been treated in our hospitals over the
analysis has become essential. on weight distribution on the hindlimbs and past year using ACT funded equipment. Bonnie
a symmetrical gait.
Ten years ago we were delighted to support (pictured) received open heart surgery at eight
the teams by funding the purchase of a long The instrumented treadmill also allows the RVC to months old to repair a hole in the wall of her heart
pressure mat which became a vital piece of continue to undertake important clinical research and an abnormal mitral valve. She is recovering
equipment in the hospital supporting clinical trials to evaluate new therapies. A good example well and is enjoying her newfound energy.
services and providing valuable objective data for of this is the nurse-led project focused on the
clinical research. Since this time, technology has ongoing measurement of the efficacy of stem
moved on and the gait analysis treadmill is a new cells for elbow osteoarthritis, and the impact of
technology that demonstrates novel capabilities rehabilitation on recovery from knee ligament
that are not possible with other systems, such surgery. The RVC is also planning to use it in a
as a pressure mat, including assessment at future study looking at the use of acupuncture in
a consistent walking and running speed and dogs suffering from osteoarthritis.
measurement of standing comfort and resting Exposure to a clinical research programme within
limb use. Importantly, the data output is immediate the RVC clinics is essential to inspire future
which allows this to be functional part of the researchers. The RVC has one of the highest
patient’s clinical management, helping clients and numbers of undergraduate and postgraduate
clinicians to measure the problem and its response clinical students undergoing training at any
to treatment in the clinic, as well as allow clinically veterinary hospital, hence delivering far-reaching
relevant research and clinical trials.
impact of its innovative activities. With the treadmill
and data measurement being a routine part of

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