Predisposition of dog breeds to rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament

Obtaining more data on breed predisposition of dogs to the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture and data on accompanying abnormalities of joints of pelvic limbs affected by the CCL rupture may help in answering some questions concerning the etiology and pathogenesis of the disorder. In 183 patients affected by the CCL rupture out of the total of 11579 dogs, evaluated and/or treated in the Clinic of Surgery and Orthopedics at the Veterinary and Pharmaceutical University Bmo from January 1997 till April 2000, the breed, weight, sex and concurrent joint abnormalities of pelvic limbs (hip dysplasia, patellar luxation and osteochondrosis of the stifle joint) were recorded. A total of 213 stifle joints (16.39% of cases were bilateral CCL ruptures) were affected. Increased breed predisposition (chi (2)-test; p < 0.01) was found in American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Brazilian Fila, Labrador Retriever, American Cocker Spaniel, Chow Chow, German Shorthaired Pointer, Saint Bernard and Bullmastiff and also on the 5% level of significance in Boxer. Contrary to published data, the high incidence of CCL rupture was found in Brazilian Fila (13.43% of prevalence). The risk of the CCL rupture in German Shepherd Dog was significantly lower (<chi>(2)-test: p < 0.01) than in other breeds studied. At the same time in 27 patients with the CCL rupture diagnosed canine hip dysplasia, in 9 dogs medial patellar luxation and in 5 cases osteochondrosis of the stifle joint. The data found are briefly discussed in relation to the possible CCL rupture etiology.