Ground reaction force analysis of large breed dogs when walking after the amputation of a limb

Force plate analysis was used to measure ground reaction forces (GRF) and c ontact times, and calculate the centre of gravity at a walk of in dogs whic h had had a limb amputated, and the results were compared with the results from 22 normal dogs of the same weight. The loss of a limb caused significa nt changes in the GRF, impulses and contact times of the remaining limbs an d in the location of the dogs' centre of gravity. The changes were greater in dogs which had lost a forelimb than in dogs which had lost a hindlimb.