Risk factors for excessive tibial plateau angle in large-breed dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease.
OBJECTIVE
To identify risk factors for development of excessive tibial plateau angle (TPA) in large-breed dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD).


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
58 dogs with excessive TPAs (ie, TPA >or= 35 degrees ; case dogs) and 58 dogs with normal TPAs (ie, TPA <or= 30 degrees ; control dogs).


METHODS
Medical records and radiographs were reviewed and owners were interviewed to identify potential risk factors for excessive TPA.


RESULTS
Case dogs were 3 times (95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 8.0) as likely to have been neutered before 6 months of age as were control dogs. Case dogs with TPA >or= 35 degrees in both limbs were 13.6 times (95% confidence interval, 2.72 to 68.1) as likely to have been neutered before 6 months of age as were control dogs with TPA <or= 30 degrees in both limbs. Case dogs were significantly younger at the onset of hind limb lameness than were control dogs.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggested that early neutering was a significant risk factor for development of excessive TPA in large-breed dogs with CCLD. Further research into the effects of early neutering on TPA and the pathophysiology of CCLD is warranted.
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
Felix M
FM
Duerr
Colleen G
CG
Duncan
Roman S
RS
Savicky
Richard D
RD
Park
Erick L
EL
Egger
Ross H
RH
Palmer
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001947:Breeding; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002369:Castration / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013264:Stifle / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013977:Tibia / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome