Objective
To investigate the conformation of the proximal tibia in small breed dogs with and without cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD) and to identify morphologic abnormalities that may predispose to development of CCLD.
Methods
Mediolateral radiographs of the entire tibia of dogs
Results
Gender, age, and weight mean +/- SD were not significantly different between the two groups of dogs (p < 0.05). Dogs with CCLD had significantly greater sTPA (p = 0.015) and rBW (p = 0.016).
Conclusion
In dogs of small breeds, a combination of an excessively steep tibial plateau and an increased relative body weight may predispose to early CCLD development. The slope of the tibial plateau was found to be caused by an abnormal caudal angulation of the proximal tibia, a phenomenon previously associated with CCLD development in small breed dogs in individual cases.
