{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,27]],"date-time":"2026-02-27T04:21:27Z","timestamp":1772166087372,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":23,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,21]],"date-time":"2025-10-21T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1761004800000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,21]],"date-time":"2025-10-21T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1761004800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["BMC Vet Res"],"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Limb amputation is a standard surgical procedure in dogs for the management of limb tumors such as osteosarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma, and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. While many dogs adapt functionally to limb loss, altered biomechanics, compensatory strain on remaining limbs, and impaired mobility can negatively impact their quality of life. Physiotherapy is recommended to facilitate post-amputation recovery; however, objective data on its effectiveness in dogs remain limited. Furthermore, when radiotherapy is required postoperatively, the necessary daily anaesthesia and cage rest can exacerbate functional decline due to restricted activity. The impact of physiotherapy on gait function in a forelimb-amputee dog undergoing concurrent radiotherapy is described in this report.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Case presentation<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>A 14-year-old neutered male Toy Manchester Terrier underwent left forelimb amputation following the diagnosis of a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor at the C6\u2013T1 spinal level. One month postoperatively, the dog began a three-week course of radiotherapy that required daily anaesthesia and prolonged cage rest, raising concerns about mobility deterioration. To mitigate these effects, a structured physiotherapy program was implemented. The program consisted of daily 30-minute sessions focusing on range of motion exercises, balance and proprioception training, weave pole exercises, and cavaletti rail walking. Gait analysis was performed on the first and last days of the physiotherapy program (pre- and post-physiotherapy) using a two-dimensional kinematic system.<\/jats:p>\n                    <jats:p>After three weeks of physiotherapy, a reduction in vertical head movement was observed (48.3\u00a0cm to 34.5\u00a0cm), indicating improved gait stability. Additionally, shoulder and elbow extension showed an increase during the loading response phase, which is crucial for weight-bearing and locomotor efficiency.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusions<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>This case provides objective evidence supporting the potential benefits of physiotherapy in enhancing gait function and stability in dogs following a forelimb amputation, even when physical activity is restricted due to radiotherapy-related hospitalization. The findings suggest that integrating physiotherapy into post-amputation care may mitigate functional decline associated with prolonged cage rest and optimize recovery. Further studies are needed to investigate the long-term benefits of physiotherapy and effects of physiotherapy on compensatory musculoskeletal adaptations in amputee dogs.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1186\/s12917-025-05075-2","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,21]],"date-time":"2025-10-21T09:57:23Z","timestamp":1761040643000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Physiotherapy enhances gait stability in a forelimb-amputated dog undergoing postoperative radiotherapy: a case report"],"prefix":"10.1186","volume":"21","author":[{"given":"Kazuyuki","family":"Yoshikawa","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Harumi","family":"Sawada","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Atsushi","family":"Fujita","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Eri","family":"Fukazawa","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Kazuya","family":"Edamura","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Akio","family":"Shimada","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Tsuyoshi","family":"Kadosawa","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,21]]},"reference":[{"issue":"5","key":"5075_CR1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"115","DOI":"10.1136\/vr.144.5.115","volume":"144","author":"J Kirpensteijn","year":"1999","unstructured":"Kirpensteijn J, Van den Bos R, Endenburg N. Adaptation of dogs to the amputation of a limb and their owners\u2019 satisfaction with the procedure. Vet Rec. 1999;144(5):115\u20138.","journal-title":"Vet Rec"},{"issue":"4","key":"5075_CR2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1521","DOI":"10.1002\/vms3.1146","volume":"9","author":"TM Wendland","year":"2023","unstructured":"Wendland TM, Seguin B, Duerr FM. Prospective evaluation of canine partial limb amputation with socket prostheses. Vet Med Sci. 2023;9(4):1521\u201333.","journal-title":"Vet Med Sci"},{"issue":"3","key":"5075_CR3","first-page":"332","volume":"74","author":"SJ Withrow","year":"1979","unstructured":"Withrow SJ, Hirsch VM. Owner response to amputation of a pet\u2019s leg. Vet Med Small Anim Clin. 1979;74(3):332.","journal-title":"Vet Med Small Anim Clin"},{"issue":"7","key":"5075_CR4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"786","DOI":"10.2460\/javma.247.7.786","volume":"247","author":"VM Dickerson","year":"2015","unstructured":"Dickerson VM, Coleman KD, Ogawa M, Saba CF, Cornell KK, Radlinsky MG, Schmiedt CW. Outcomes of dogs undergoing limb amputation, owner satisfaction with limb amputation procedures, and owner perceptions regarding postsurgical adaptation: 64 cases (2005\u20132012). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2015;247(7):786\u201392.","journal-title":"J Am Vet Med Assoc"},{"issue":"9","key":"5075_CR5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1155","DOI":"10.2460\/ajvr.74.9.1155","volume":"74","author":"SL Jarvis","year":"2013","unstructured":"Jarvis SL, Worley DR, Hogy SM, Hill AE, Haussler KK, Reiser RF. Kinematic and kinetic analysis of dogs during trotting after amputation of a thoracic limb. Am J Vet Res. 2013;74(9):1155\u201363.","journal-title":"Am J Vet Res"},{"issue":"01","key":"5075_CR6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"59","DOI":"10.3415\/VCOT-16-05-0075","volume":"30","author":"GL Cole","year":"2017","unstructured":"Cole GL, Millis D. The effect of limb amputation on standing weight distribution in the remaining three limbs in dogs. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2017;30(01):59\u201361.","journal-title":"Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol"},{"key":"5075_CR7","volume-title":"Canine rehabilitation and physical therapy 2edn","author":"D Millis","year":"2014","unstructured":"Millis D, Levine D. Canine rehabilitation and physical therapy 2edn. USA: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2014."},{"issue":"2","key":"5075_CR8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"165","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tvjl.2008.01.009","volume":"178","author":"RL Gillette","year":"2008","unstructured":"Gillette RL, Angle TC. Recent developments in canine locomotor analysis: a review. Vet J. 2008;178(2):165\u201376.","journal-title":"Vet J"},{"key":"5075_CR9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Yoshikawa K, Tsubakishita S, Sano T, Ino T, Miyasaka T, Kitazawa T. Functional assessment of the gluteus medius, cranial part of the biceps femoris, and vastus lateralis in Beagle dogs based on a novel gait phase classification. J Vet Med Sci. 2021;83(1):116\u2013124.","DOI":"10.1292\/jvms.20-0127"},{"key":"5075_CR10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1419206","DOI":"10.3389\/fvets.2024.1419206","volume":"11","author":"CA Blake","year":"2024","unstructured":"Blake CA, Looney AL, Merrill TD. The impact of Cavaletti height on dogs\u2019 walking speed and its implications for ground reaction forces. Front Veterinary Sci. 2024;11:1419206.","journal-title":"Front Veterinary Sci"},{"issue":"1","key":"5075_CR11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"11335","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-021-90058-0","volume":"11","author":"H Stark","year":"2021","unstructured":"Stark H, Fischer MS, Hunt A, Young F, Quinn R, Andrada E. A three-dimensional musculoskeletal model of the dog. Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):11335.","journal-title":"Sci Rep"},{"key":"5075_CR12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"54","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tvjl.2017.02.004","volume":"222","author":"M Rhodin","year":"2017","unstructured":"Rhodin M, Bergh A, Gust\u00e5s P, G\u00f3mez \u00c1lvarez CB. Inertial sensor-based system for lameness detection in trotting dogs with induced lameness. Vet J. 2017;222:54\u20139.","journal-title":"Vet J"},{"issue":"1","key":"5075_CR13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"81","DOI":"10.1186\/s13028-018-0435-z","volume":"60","author":"A Bergh","year":"2018","unstructured":"Bergh A, G\u00f3mez \u00c1lvarez CB, Rhodin M, Gust\u00e5s P. Head and pelvic vertical displacement in dogs with induced swinging limb lameness: an experimental study. Acta Vet Scand. 2018;60(1):81.","journal-title":"Acta Vet Scand"},{"key":"5075_CR14","unstructured":"Fischer MS, Lilje KE, Laustr\u00f6er J, Andikfar A. Dogs in motion. 2nd ed. edn: VDH Service. 2014."},{"issue":"13","key":"5075_CR15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1960","DOI":"10.3390\/ani14131960","volume":"14","author":"O Rodriguez","year":"2024","unstructured":"Rodriguez O, Regueiro-Purri\u00f1os M, Figueirinhas P, Gonzalo-Orden JM, Prada I, Vilar JM, Mill\u00e1n L. Rodr\u00edguez-Alt\u00f3naga J: dynamic and postural changes in forelimb amputee dogs: A pilot study. Animals. 2024;14(13):1960.","journal-title":"Animals"},{"issue":"1","key":"5075_CR16","first-page":"1","volume":"45","author":"DL Millis","year":"2015","unstructured":"Millis DL, Ciuperca IA. Evidence for canine rehabilitation and physical therapy. Veterinary Clinics: Small Anim Pract. 2015;45(1):1\u201327.","journal-title":"Veterinary Clinics: Small Anim Pract"},{"issue":"Pt 11","key":"5075_CR17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2224","DOI":"10.1242\/jeb.02236","volume":"209","author":"DR Carrier","year":"2006","unstructured":"Carrier DR, Deban SM, Fischbein T. Locomotor function of the pectoral girdle \u2018muscular sling\u2019 in trotting dogs. J Exp Biol. 2006;209(Pt 11):2224\u201337.","journal-title":"J Exp Biol"},{"key":"5075_CR18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1186\/s12917-017-0985-8","volume":"13","author":"KL Cullen","year":"2016","unstructured":"Cullen KL, Dickey JP, Brown SH, Nykamp SG, Bent LR, Thomason JJ, Moens NM. The magnitude of muscular activation of four canine forelimb muscles in dogs performing two agility-specific tasks. BMC Vet Res. 2016;13:1\u201313.","journal-title":"BMC Vet Res"},{"issue":"12","key":"5075_CR19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1473","DOI":"10.2460\/ajvr.1997.58.12.1473","volume":"58","author":"JM Johnson","year":"1997","unstructured":"Johnson JM, Johnson AL, Pijanowski GJ, Kneller SK, Schaeffer DJ, Eurell JA, Smith CW, Swan KS. Rehabilitation of dogs with surgically treated cranial cruciate ligament-deficient stifles by use of electrical stimulation of muscles. Am J Vet Res. 1997;58(12):1473\u20138.","journal-title":"Am J Vet Res"},{"key":"5075_CR20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1593","DOI":"10.1590\/S0103-84782011005000118","volume":"41","author":"C Pelizzari","year":"2011","unstructured":"Pelizzari C, Raiser A, Mazzanti A, Salbego F, Festugatto R, Beckmann D, Mori da Cunha MG, Santos R, Serafini G, Marques J, et al. Different times of neuromuscular electrical stimulation medium frequency (kotz) in dogs. Ciencia Rural. 2011;41:1593\u20139.","journal-title":"Ciencia Rural"},{"key":"5075_CR21","unstructured":"GmbH V, Verlag V. Essential facts of physical medicine, rehabilitation and sports medicine in companion animals. VBS Vet. 2019."},{"key":"5075_CR22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3582","DOI":"10.3390\/ani12243582","volume":"12","author":"D Gouveia","year":"2022","unstructured":"Gouveia D, Cardoso A, Carvalho C, Almeida A, Gamboa O, Ferreira A, Martins \u00c2. Approach to small animal neurorehabilitation by locomotor training: an update. Animals. 2022;12:3582.","journal-title":"Animals"},{"issue":"18","key":"5075_CR23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2369","DOI":"10.3390\/ani12182369","volume":"12","author":"D Gouveia","year":"2022","unstructured":"Gouveia D, Carvalho C, Cardoso A, Gamboa \u00d3, Almeida A, Ferreira A, Martins \u00c2. Early locomotor training in tetraplegic Post-Surgical dogs with cervical intervertebral disc disease. Animals. 2022;12(18):2369.","journal-title":"Animals"}],"container-title":["BMC Veterinary Research"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/s12917-025-05075-2.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1186\/s12917-025-05075-2\/fulltext.html","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/s12917-025-05075-2.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,21]],"date-time":"2025-10-21T09:57:30Z","timestamp":1761040650000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/bmcvetres.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s12917-025-05075-2"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,21]]},"references-count":23,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,12]]}},"alternative-id":["5075"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12917-025-05075-2","relation":{"has-preprint":[{"id-type":"doi","id":"10.21203\/rs.3.rs-6380848\/v1","asserted-by":"object"}]},"ISSN":["1746-6148"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1746-6148","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,21]]},"assertion":[{"value":"5 April 2025","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"19 September 2025","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"21 October 2025","order":3,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"order":1,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}},{"value":"As this report is a case report, ethical approval was not required. Consent for the use of patient data was obtained at the time of admission to the Japan Small Animal Medical Center.","order":2,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Ethics approval and consent to participate"}},{"value":"Written informed consent was obtained from the patient\u2019s owner for the publication of this report and any accompanying images.","order":3,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Consent for publication"}},{"value":"The authors declare no competing interests.","order":4,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Competing interests"}}],"article-number":"622"}}