New findings on CCL rupture

[MARYDVM]

Here are a couple of abstracts from veterinary journals concerning cruciate ligament rupture.

http://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/abs...r.2005.66.2073

http://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/abs...javma.228.1.61

The highly technical terminology in the first link describes a study comparing the presence of certain joint inflammatory cells in intact and ruptured cruciates in dogs and humans. The findings suggest that these cells are found in abnormal levels in canine ruptured CCLs, and predispose the ligament to injury by weakening it through chronic inflammation.

The second study has found a genetic basis for rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament in Newfoundlands. They conclude it is a recessively inherited trait, with incomplete penetrance.

[debbiej]

I've often wondered if being predisposed to such injury was genetic. and would suppliments help prevent such injury? very interesting!

[Dugganmom]

We are dealing with trying to prevent a full rupture...duggan takes cosequin(not willingly) thats about all the vet had to offer us short of doing surgery, which duggan has only had one or two "problems" so i dont feel surgery is warrented ...YET

[BostonRott]

Partial tears will most likely become full tears, and in the mean time, arthritis is building up, as the joint is being used incorrectly b/c of lack of support.

[Dugganmom]

They are not sure if it is even tore they did the trunk test and everything x-rays ect....they are not sure 2 different vets...so that is why i do not want to put him through a major surgery yet. He only limped once...i know they have high tolerance for pain but if it comes down to he defenitaly needs it he WILL get it. I know that you are completely right Bostonrott about the buildup ect...we have him on cosaquin and he is losing weight and low exercise no jumping ect...me and my husband have talked alot about this and if he shows anymore signs of pain,limping having a hard time getting up the surgery will be set up for him. He has not showed any signs since march.

[Anne]

Originally Posted by Dugganmom

They are not sure if it is even tore they did the trunk test and everything x-rays ect....they are not sure 2 different vets...so that is why i do not want to put him through a major surgery yet. He only limped once...i know they have high tolerance for pain but if it comes down to he defenitaly needs it he WILL get it. I know that you are completely right Bostonrott about the buildup ect...we have him on cosaquin and he is losing weight and low exercise no jumping ect...me and my husband have talked alot about this and if he shows anymore signs of pain,limping having a hard time getting up the surgery will be set up for him. He has not showed any signs since march.

What is a 'trunk' test? Do you mean the drawer test?

I would take him to an ortho for assessment. Ligaments don't show up on xray. My dog did not limp at all but she was not weight bearing equally.

We seem to have had the exact opposite results that you have. My dog was also on Cosequin at the time but she gained weight due to having less exercise and I needed to adjust her diet accordingly.

My young dog already had arthritic changes evident on xray and she had TPLO 10 days after diagnosis by the ortho. She was 18 months old.

[Dugganmom]

Originally Posted by Anne

What is a 'trunk' test? Do you mean the drawer test?

I would take him to an ortho for assessment. Ligaments don't show up on xray. My dog did not limp at all but she was not weight bearing equally.

We seem to have had the exact opposite results that you have. My dog was also on Cosequin at the time but she gained weight due to having less exercise and I needed to adjust her diet accordingly.

My young dog already had arthritic changes evident on xray and she had TPLO 10 days after diagnosis by the ortho. She was 18 months old.

I meant drawer test i had just got done cleaning out my trunk...sorrywe have cut back on the food and we see a big change there with his weight so far so good