Fatores associados à doença do ligamento cruzado cranial em cães atendidos em clínicas do estado de São Paulo

Abstract

Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease (CCLD) is one of the leading causes of lameness in dogs. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency and risk factors associated with CCLD in dogs receiving veterinary care, as well as to describe the clinical aspects of the disease. The research was a prospective observational study divided into five chapters, with the first four serving as reviews of relevant topics for understanding CCLD.The first chapter provides a general introduction and theoretical background on the disease. The subsequent chapters cover: 1) radiographic diagnosis of CCLD, 2) available treatment methods, and 3) clinical epidemiology in veterinary medicine. The fifth chapter presents a scientific article investigating the factors associated with the incidence of CCLD in dogs treated in clinics in the state of São Paulo.Data collection was conducted in various cities in the state, including Atibaia, Guarulhos, and São Paulo city, among others, during the years 2022 to 2023. Clinical orthopedic consultations for dogs with pelvic limb injuries were analyzed, and the diagnosis of CCLD was confirmed through clinical and radiographic examinations. Statistical analysis included chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression, with significance defined at p<0.05.A total of 1,061 dogs were seen in orthopedic consultations, of which 584 presented lameness and suitable radiographic images. Among these, 221 cases were diagnosed with CCLD, representing 37.8% of the orthopedic pelvic cases and 20% of all orthopedic consultations in the clinics. No significant differences were found between sexes or regarding the affected limb side (p>0.05).Regarding neutering, 336 (57.7%) of the dogs were neutered, and 67.9% of these were positive for CCLD. The results indicate that neutered dogs are 2.1 times more likely to develop the disease compared to non-neutered dogs, regardless of the age of neutering (p>0.05). Most diagnosed dogs presented CCLD as the primary complaint, but 30.8% were identified during consultations for other conditions.Clinical findings included femur fractures (11.3%), lumbar vertebra fractures (15.9%), and hip joint luxation injuries (13.9%). The average weight of dogs with CCLD was 15 kg, higher than the overall average of 11 kg, suggesting that heavier dogs may be at greater risk. The average age of dogs with CCLD was 60 months, compared to 36 months for those without the disease, indicating that age is an important factor in predisposition to the disease.Finally, it was observed that dogs with degenerative joint disease (DJD) have a 14-fold increase in the risk of developing CCLD, although it cannot be determined whether DJD is a cause or consequence of CCLD based on this study.