Risk factors for unilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture diagnosis and for clinical management in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK.

Vet J. February 2023;292(0):105952.

C Pegram¹, D C Brodbelt², K Diaz-Ordaz³, Y Chang⁴, A Frykfors von Hekkel⁵, D B Church⁶, D G O'Neill⁷

¹ Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield Herts AL9 7TA, UK. Electronic address: cpegram@rvc.ac.uk.; ² Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield Herts AL9 7TA, UK.; ³ Department of Statistical Science, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.; ⁴ Comparative Biomedical Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield Herts AL9 7TA, UK.; ⁵ Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield Herts AL9 7TA, UK.; ⁶ Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield Herts AL9 7TA, UK.; ⁷ Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield Herts AL9 7TA, UK.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate demographic risk factors associated with unilateral cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture diagnosis and to explore demographic and clinical risk factors associated with management of unilateral CCL rupture in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. A retrospective cohort study design was used. Clinical records were automatically searched and manually verified for incident cases of unilateral CCL rupture during 2019 and additional clinical management information extracted. Multivariable logistic regression modelling was used to evaluate associations between risk factors and: (1) CCL rupture diagnosis; and (2) clinical management (surgical or non-surgical). The analysis included 1000 unilateral CCL rupture cases and a random selection of 500,000 non-cases. After accounting for confounding factors, dogs aged 6 to < 9 years, male neutered and female neutered dogs, insured dogs, and Rottweiler, Bichon Frise, and West Highland White terrier breeds, in particular, had increased odds of unilateral CCL rupture diagnosis. Insured dogs and dogs ≥ 20 kg had increased odds of surgical management, while dogs ≥ 9 years and dogs with one non-orthopaedic comorbidity at diagnosis with CCL rupture had reduced odds. These findings inform identification of at-risk dogs, with Rottweilers and Bichon Frise particularly predisposed. Additionally, they contribute to a greater understanding of the clinical rationales used in primary-care veterinary practices to decide between surgical or non-surgical management of unilateral CCL rupture.

Keywords

Cranial cruciate ligament; Dog; Electronic medical record; Primary-care; VetCompass;

Article Tools:

Medline

Email to me

Archives Highlights:

Emergency Approach to Acute Seizures in Dogs and Cats.
This review presents a systematic approach to the diagnosis and treatment of single seizures, cluster seizures, and status epilepticus in dogs and cats.

Feline acute patient physiologic and laboratory evaluation scores and other prognostic factors in cats with first-time diabetic ketoacidosis.
Median BG was significantly higher in non-survivors (431 mg/dL) compared with survivors (343 mg/dL) and BG predicted mortality. For every 1 mg/dL increase in BG, the odds of death increased by 1.004.

Risk Factors for Injury in Border Collies Competing in Agility Competitions.
The jump height relative to the shoulder height was associated with injury, with dogs jumping noticeably above or below shoulder height more likely to report a history of injury. Other identified risk factors included the number of weekends spent competing/year, the number of competitions at the national level, the age when starting elbow height jumps and backside jumps, the acquisition of the dog from a breeder, and the age of the handler.

Clinical characterization of a novel episodic ataxia in young working Cocker Spaniels.
The mean age at clinical onset was 4 months. Signs were acute and included episodic body swaying, titubation, cerebellar ataxia, wide-base stance, and hypermetria, all while mentation remained unaltered. Duration of episodes ranged from 30 minutes up to 24 hours, and their frequency varied from weekly to once every 5 months.

Endoparasites of rabbits and hares.
Accurate gross and microscopic identification of endoparasites in rabbits and hares is an important element of the diagnostic work of veterinary anatomic pathologists. Given the zoonotic nature of rabbit and hare endoparasites, such as C. hepatica, E. cuniculi, and others, veterinary pathologists are ideally poised to make valuable contributions to the understanding of the disease ecology of these pathogens in the context of a One Health research program.