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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).


DESIGN
Case-control study.


ANIMALS
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).


PROCEDURES
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 AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE
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.