Effect of a Corset on the Gait of Healthy Beagle Dogs

SIMPLE SUMMARY: In recent years, corsets have been used in the prevention of nerve diseases in dogs and in their rehabilitation following surgery. The Anifull Dog’s Corset Pro, made by Daiya Industry Co., Ltd., is manufactured and sold for this purpose, but no studies have yet been conducted to verify its effectiveness. To evaluate the effects of the corset, we analyzed the gait of healthy beagle dogs that were or were not wearing the Anifull Dog’s Corset Pro. We found no difference in the walking speed of the dogs, but wearing the corset reduced the horizontal sway of the back. In conclusion, this corset does not affect the gait of dogs and may help body stability. Therefore, the Anifull Dog’s Corset Pro may be useful for the treatment of dog nerve conditions. ABSTRACT: The prognosis for intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), a common neurologic disease in dogs, varies, with some cases requiring long-term rehabilitation. Corsets are used as part of the physical rehabilitation of dogs, and one of these, the Anifull Dog’s Corset Pro, is manufactured and sold by Daiya Industry Co., Ltd. This corset is used to relieve pain caused by spinal cord and vertebral diseases, and to prevent neurological conditions from worsening, by limiting spinal movement. However, the effect of the Anifull Dog’s Corset Pro on gait has not yet been clarified. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effects of this corset on the gait of dogs using kinematic and kinetic analyses. Five healthy beagle dogs wearing corsets were trotted, kinematic and kinetic parameters were measured using motion capture and force plates, and the results were compared to those obtained when the dogs were not wearing a corset. The range of motion of the angle formed by the 13th thoracic vertebra and the 7th lumbar vertebra at the apex of the 7th cervical vertebra was significantly reduced in the corset-wearing dogs. Thus, the Anifull Dog’s Corset Pro may improve trunk stability without affecting gait.