Can you see an ACL tear coming?
- Thread starter Amstaffer
- Start date
Yes, typically if the dog has poor angulation being very straight in the rear there is more of a chance of damaging the acl.
Jennifer
Tailcreek Mastiffs in Alberta Canada - Home
Jennifer
Tailcreek Mastiffs in Alberta Canada - Home
i think that conformation is a factor, yes, but it's certainly not the only factor. luce is too straight behind and has torn both, but i've seen dogs with worse hind ends who haven't torn either. i've seen dogs with good angulation tear them. weight, fitness level, play/exercise style, age of spay/neuter all play a role as well.
I found this JAVMA article:
[snip]
Conditions with increased risk (for early age gonadectomized dog)
1) Urinary incontinence (female, 12.9% of dogs spayed <3 months vs. 5% of dogs spayed >= 3 months, not associated with increased rate of relinquishment)
3) Hip dysplasia (incidence 6.7% early vs. 4.7% traditional: > 5.5 months had 3 times increased euthanasia for hip dysplasia)
4) Cystitis (female- not chronic)
5) Aggression toward household members (male, associated with increased risk of euthanasia) 2, 3
6) Barking (male, at visitors, bothersome barking)
7) Noise phobia
8) Sexual behaviors
9) Urination when frightened
10) Parvovirus (within first week after adoption)
No effect (dog): mortality rate, acariasis, allergic skin disease, balanoposthitis, cardiac disease, fractures, hyperactivity, hypoadrenocorticism, hypothyroidism, neoplasia, aggression toward animals, destructive behavior, digging, excessive licking/chewing skin, playful behavior, shyness, abscesses, aggression toward veterinarian, food allergy, demodicosis, fight-bite wounds, gingivitis, hit by car, kennel cough, intervertebral disk disease, lacerations, orthopedic problems of the stifle joint, perivulvar dermatitis, pica, pyoderma, repeat infections, soft tissue injuries
http://www.sheltermedicine.com/documents/Early_Age_Gonadectomy_Study.doc
I've heard of an increase of soft tissue injury in pediatric spayed/neutered dogs, but I think there is only anecdotal evidence of this.
[snip]
Conditions with increased risk (for early age gonadectomized dog)
1) Urinary incontinence (female, 12.9% of dogs spayed <3 months vs. 5% of dogs spayed >= 3 months, not associated with increased rate of relinquishment)
3) Hip dysplasia (incidence 6.7% early vs. 4.7% traditional: > 5.5 months had 3 times increased euthanasia for hip dysplasia)
4) Cystitis (female- not chronic)
5) Aggression toward household members (male, associated with increased risk of euthanasia) 2, 3
6) Barking (male, at visitors, bothersome barking)
7) Noise phobia
8) Sexual behaviors
9) Urination when frightened
10) Parvovirus (within first week after adoption)
No effect (dog): mortality rate, acariasis, allergic skin disease, balanoposthitis, cardiac disease, fractures, hyperactivity, hypoadrenocorticism, hypothyroidism, neoplasia, aggression toward animals, destructive behavior, digging, excessive licking/chewing skin, playful behavior, shyness, abscesses, aggression toward veterinarian, food allergy, demodicosis, fight-bite wounds, gingivitis, hit by car, kennel cough, intervertebral disk disease, lacerations, orthopedic problems of the stifle joint, perivulvar dermatitis, pica, pyoderma, repeat infections, soft tissue injuries
http://www.sheltermedicine.com/documents/Early_Age_Gonadectomy_Study.doc
I've heard of an increase of soft tissue injury in pediatric spayed/neutered dogs, but I think there is only anecdotal evidence of this.
I had an Am Staff who had horrible HD in both hips and an ACL tear ... all by 1 yr of age. When I look back, he was just 'loose' in general, had poor angulation, limited rear leg muscle development (with proper exercise and other dogs in house were nicely muscled) and did the classic 'bunny hop' when he ran. If I were to get another, I'd want to see awesome muscle development, or I'd be leery. 
I had an Am Staff who had horrible HD in both hips and an ACL tear ... all by 1 yr of age. When I look back, he was just 'loose' in general, had poor angulation, limited rear leg muscle development (with proper exercise and other dogs in house were nicely muscled) and did the classic 'bunny hop' when he ran. If I were to get another, I'd want to see awesome muscle development, or I'd be leery.