• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.443-448
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• 2003

To determine whether localization of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and cathepsin K was associated with rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) in dogs. Tissue specimens were obtained from 30 dogs with CCL rupture during surgical treatment, 8 aged normal dogs, and 9 young normal dogs that were necropsied for reasons unrelated to this study and unrelated to musculoskeletal disease. The cranial cruciate ligament was examined histologically. $TRAP^+$ cells and cathepsin $K^+$ cells were identified by histochemical staining and immunohistochemical staining respectively. TRAP and cathepsin $K^+$ were co-localized within the same cells principally located within the epiligamentous region and to a lesser extent in the core region of ruptured CCL. Localization of $TRAP^+$ cells (P < 0.05) and cathepsin $K^+$ cells (P =0.05) within CCL tissue was significantly increased in dogs with CCL rupture, compared with aged-normal dogs, and young normal dogs (P < 0.05 - TRAP, P < 0.001 - cathepsin K). Localization of $TRAP^+$ cells and cathepsin $K^+$ cells within the CCL tissue of aged-normal dogs was also increased compared with young normal dogs (P < 0.05). Small numbers of $TRAP^+$ cells and cathepsin $K^+$ cells were seen in the intact ligaments of aged-normal dogs, which were associated with ligament fasicles in which there was chondroid transformation of ligament fibroblasts and disruption of the organized hierarchical structure of the extracellular matrix. $TRAP^+$ cells and cathepsin $K^+$ cells were not seen in CCL tissue from young-normal dogs. Localization of the proteinases $TRAP^+$ and cathepsin $K^+$ in CCL tissue was significantly associated with CCL rupture. Small numbers of proteinase positive cells were also localized in the CCL of agednormal dogs without CCL rupture, but were not detected in CCL from young-normal dogs. Taken together, these findings suggest that the cell signaling pathways that regulate expression of these proteinases in CCL tissue may form part of the mechanism that leads to upregulation of collagenolytic ligament remodeling and progressive structural failure of the CCL over time.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.481-485
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• 2015

The present study determined the normal reference ranges for overall pelvic limb alignment of small-breed dogs. For this purpose, 60 cadaveric canine pelvic limbs from normal small-breed dogs (Maltese, Poodle, Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier). A frontal full-limb radiograph of each pelvic limb was obtained, and mechanical tibiofemoral angle (mTFA), mechanical metatarsotibial angle (mMTTA), mechanical axis-femur angle (MAFA), and mechanical axis-metatarsus angle (MAMTA) were measured from each radiograph, along with mechanical deviation of the stifle (SMAD) and tarsal joints (TMAD). The 95% CI for radiographic values of all pelvic limbs were mTFA, 5.7-7.4; mMTTA, $-2.2--0.8^{\circ}$; MAFA, $3.5-4.5^{\circ}$; MAMTA, 1.0-2.0; SMAD, 2.1-2.7%; TMAD, 0.5-1.0%. There values varied among the breeds, except for mTFA. The reference ranges can be used for diagnosing pelvic limb deformities in small-breed dogs and for planning corrective osteotomies.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.483-489
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• 2014

This study describes a surgical technique and evaluates the clinical outcomes in small breed dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR) treated with tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). Seven skeletally mature dogs weighing less than 15 kg underwent unilateral TPLO to stabilize the stifle joint with CCLR. Clinical evaluation was performed via visual lameness score, range of motion (ROM), and thigh girth circumference (TC). Postoperative complications were recorded. All patients reached a grade 1 score at 1 week and grade 0 at 8 weeks postoperatively. The mean operated limb extension angle was 98.11%, 99.07%, and 98.73% of the mean extension angle of the contralateral limb at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks postoperatively, respectively. The mean operated limb flexion angle was 98.07%, 95.88%, and 96.35% of the mean flexion angle of the contralateral limb at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks postoperatively, respectively. The mean TC of the operated limb was 92.95%, 93.68%, and 95.44% of the mean TC of the normal limb at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks postoperatively, respectively. Our outcomes for TPLO in small breed dogs are not worse than those previously reported for large breed dogs. Based on the result in the present study, CCLR in small dogs can be successfully managed with TPLO, as done in large breed dogs.