Is An Image Worth A Thousand Words?

Hello, Summarians!

Do we need to take into account how we communicate with each other? Sometimes it is hard to remember that we all have different ways of learning and applying new information. This study is a nice reminder …

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Usability of FitBark2 in Dogs

The study focuses on the accuracy of a commercially available activity monitor, the FitBark 2, in estimating the daily energy requirement (DER) of pets, particularly dogs. This device, which links to a smartphone, tracks a pet's movement through GPS and acceleration measurements, including an estimation of calorie burn. The study aims to compare the predicted daily energy requirement (pDER) from the activity monitor with the observed daily energy requirement (oDER) in pets, similar to standards used in human health devices where a less than or equal to 5% difference in measurements is considered accurate. However, the study found poor agreement between the oDER and the pDER, with the activity monitor typically overestimating the calorie expenditure, failing to meet the preset accuracy standard of ≤5%. Despite the device's reported success in tracking off-leash activity, its accuracy in estimating calorie expenditure is questioned. This inconsistency in caloric data, compared to the more favorable results in activity monitoring, suggests limitations in the device's algorithm for calculating energy expenditure. Additionally, the study highlights challenges in measuring DER accurately, such as variability in owners' reports of pet diets and activity levels, and the absence of heart rate monitoring in the device, which is a feature that has improved accuracy in human wearable accelerometers. Overall, the study concludes that while the FitBark 2 is effective in tracking pet activity, its capability to accurately predict daily energy requirements in pets is limited, and its use for making dietary or health recommendations should be approached with caution. 

Sekhar, M., Rudinsky, A. J., Cashman, C., Parker, V. J., Kieves, N. R., Howard, J., & Winston, J. (2023). Commercially available wearable health monitor in dogs is unreliable for tracking energy intake and expenditure. American Journal of Veterinary Research https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.23.10.0242 

Bottom line — Mobility tracking is OK but not a good at prediction of energy requirements

Zylkene to Decrease Weaning Stress in Horses

The study focused on determining the impact of α-casozepine (Zylkene) supplementation on stress and disease risk in weanling foals. Weaning is a stressful time for foals, marked by changes such as separation from the mare, dietary shifts, and new environments, leading to increased cortisol levels and a higher disease risk. α-Casozepine, derived from cow’s milk, is known for its calming, anxiolytic-like effects without the side effects common to depressants. It's used to mitigate stress in various scenarios like travel, veterinary visits, and training. Despite its proven effectiveness in other animals, the study's results on foals were inconclusive. While Zylkene didn't significantly reduce stress or disease risk, there was a numerical but not statistically significant trend towards better height and weight maintenance in the Zylkene group. This is important because stable growth rates in foals are crucial for preventing conditions like osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD). Larger foals, although more prone to OCD, tend to be less affected by sesamoiditis and are more valuable in the market. The study had some limitations, including variations in the weaning times and ages of the foals, which might have affected the results. Consistent measurement intervals in future studies could provide more accurate data. Other research, like Ijichi et al., also found limited effects of α-casozepine in specific scenarios like horse loading. Overall, while this study didn’t provide strong evidence for α-casozepine's effectiveness in reducing stress and disease risk during weaning, it suggested potential benefits in maintaining growth rates, warranting further research. 

Wood, M. K., Mason, R. M., Burk, S. V., & Birmingham, S. S. W. (2024). α-Casozepine supplementation shows no effect on foals’ growth and cortisol levels before and after weaning. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.23.09.0545 

Bottom line — Results do not show this as a beneficial protocol

Video-based Client Education vs Traditional

The study was an 8-week, prospective, randomized controlled trial where the control group received verbal education and the intervention group watched a video. Client knowledge was assessed at the beginning and end of the study. The study also measured treatment adherence and the perceived utility and appeal of the interventions. Clinical progress was assessed using CADESI-04 and PVAS10. Results showed that the video-based education was comparable to traditional verbal education in improving client knowledge of cAD. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of clinical outcomes, utility, and appeal ratings, and owner adherence to treatment. However, a significant association was found in education success between the intervention and control groups, indicating the effectiveness of video-based education. In conclusion, the study suggests that video-based instructions have a positive impact on owners' education and demonstrate potential as a valuable tool in veterinary clinics. This method could provide a time-efficient alternative for initial cAD education, complementing the verbal explanation process. The study highlights the need for well-designed educational materials to improve health outcomes by enhancing owner knowledge, motivation, confidence, and adherence to management regimes. 

Fernandes B, Cavaco A, Pinto M, Bizarro AF, Pereira H, Lourenço AM. Are images worth a thousand words? A preliminary study testing a video for owner education in canine atopic dermatitis. Vet Dermatol. 2024 Feb;35(1):51-61. doi: 10.1111/vde.13200. Epub 2023 Aug 25. PMID: 37621254.

Bottom line — Significant association found in education results.

Just putting things in perspective …