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.
Duerr
Felix M
FM
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
Duncan
Colleen G
CG
Savicky
Roman S
RS
Park
Richard D
RD
Egger
Erick L
EL
Palmer
Ross H
RH
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