We aimed to evaluate whether the use of a custom prosthesis improves static stability and gait symmetry in a dog with a forelimb amputation. This study involved two therapy dogs owned by the same individual, both mixed breeds with similar physical characteristics. Dog with amputation had a full forelimb amputation and had been successfully using a prosthesis since 2022. Healthy dog served as a control in three different assessment methods evaluating prosthetic effectiveness. For static measurements, a four-scale method and a force plate were used; dynamic data were collected using a pressure-sensor mat. Dog with amputation distributed 21 % of its body weight onto the prosthesis, reducing the load on the contralateral limb from 49 % to 35 %. The total forelimb load increased from 49 % to 56 % with the prosthesis. Stabilometric analysis indicated improved stability with the prosthesis: significant reduction in sway path length, while changes in directional sway components and sway area were not statistically conclusive. Sensor-mat measurements on GAITRite showed that forelimb amputation substantially reduced step length (21.1 cm) and stride length (42.4 cm) on the amputated side, and increased traversal time to 2.4 s, reflecting pronounced gait asymmetry and impaired limb function. The use of a prosthesis improved step length (35.0 and 30.1 cm) and stride length (64.1 and 63.0 cm), and decreased traversal time to 2.2 s, indicating enhanced gait efficiency, although values did not fully reach those of the healthy dog (step length 46.8/44.6 cm; stride length 93.5/87.7 cm; time 1.5 s). These results demonstrate the functional benefits of prosthetic use in canine forelimb amputation.

The standard method of resuscitation chest compression (CC) is the two-handed chest compression (HCC), whereas the quality of foot chest compressions (FCCs) has not yet been sufficiently investigated. This study aimed to compare the mechanical characteristics of foot and two-handed chest compressions to identify differences in quality and potential safety concerns between HCCs and FCCs. This was a randomised crossover manikin study. The outcomes measured included the time course of the magnitude and direction of the force exerted by the manikin on the force plate during resuscitation and components of high-quality CCs. While the maximal force exerted during FCCs was approximately 5 % lower than during HCCs, the angle of this maximal force from the vertical was nearly twice as large in FCCs (p < 0.0001). Participants performing FCCs achieved a lower mean CC depth (p < 0.001), consistent with the smaller maximal force. The rate of FCCs was slower than that of HCCs (p < 0.001), and the total number of compressions performed differed significantly between the two methods (p < 0.001). The method of compression influences both the magnitude and angle of the force applied. FCCs were associated with significantly lower quality metrics. Nevertheless, on average, participants in both groups achieved CC parameters that were within or close to the recommended guideline ranges.