Study reveals the breeds most likely to suffer from painful cranial cruciate ... trends now

Study reveals the breeds most likely to suffer from painful cranial cruciate ... trends now
Study reveals the breeds most likely to suffer from painful cranial cruciate ... trends now

Study reveals the breeds most likely to suffer from painful cranial cruciate ... trends now

Vets have revealed the dog breeds most at risk from painful cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) ruptures.

CCL ruptures are common with humans as well as dogs, with professional athletes and footballers, such as Alan Shearer and Roy Keane, suffering from the condition.

A study from the Royal Veterinary College's (RVC) VetCompass Programme looked at 1,000 dogs with CCL rupture cases and a random selection of 500,000 other dogs without the injury.

It revealed that Rottweilers were the dogs most at risk, being 3.66 times more likely to get the disease, with cockapoos being least at risk. 

Most dogs see a gradual degeneration of the ligament, seeing a sudden onset of pain and lameness.  

A study from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) revealed the dog breeds most at risk for cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture

A study from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) revealed the dog breeds most at risk for cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture

Other dogs at high risk of the ailment were Bichon Frise, who were 2.09 times more likely to get a rupture, West Highland White Terries, who were 1.80 times more likely to get a rupture, and Golden Retrievers, who were 1.69 times more likely to get a rupture. 

Those at lowest risk of ruptures include Chihuahas, at 0.31 times, Shih-tzu at 0.41 times and German Shepherd Dogs, at 0.43 times. 

What is a cranial cruciate ligament rupture?

Cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) ruptures is one that affects both humans and dogs. 

The CCL is an important ligament inside the knee joints of dogs which stops the knee bone moving in front of the thigh bone. 

Rupture to the ligament can either happen progressively over time, weakening certain spots of the leg or can happen suddenly.

Symptoms of a CCL rupture include:

Lameness in the hind limbs  Knee joining pain Difficulty rising and jumping Occasional clicking noises 

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Dr Anna Frykfors von Hekkel, Lecturer in Small Animal Surgery at the RVC and co-author of the paper, added: 'This study helps to confirm suspicions we have held in the clinic, with recognition of breeds such as the West Highland White Terrier and Rottweiler being at increased risk of developing CCL disease. 

'It offers a valuable insight into how these patients are managed in general practice and factors that might influence that challenging decision.'

The age of the dog was also a factor that influenced how likely the animal was to get the disease, with dogs aged six to over the age of nine being more than three times more likely compared with dogs less than years old.

The research, published in The Veterinary Journal, hope the findings will help dog owners and vets identify dogs who are most at risk to the problem.

Treating the issue often is based on surgical and non-surgical management. 

The study, which was the largest epidemiological study to date looking at the disease, considered the treatment options and decided which dog breeds were more likely to have the issue surgically resolved.  

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