Disease-related and overall survival in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease, a historical cohort study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo analyse the effect of treatment method and other risk factors on survival in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD). MethodsA historical cohort study of 333 dogs presenting with CCLD at two University Hospitals (2011–2016) was performed. Signalment, history, treatment and follow-up details were retrieved from medical records, dog owners and referring veterinarians. Treatment groups were defined; conservative or surgical with either lateral fabellotibial suture (LFS) or osteotomy procedures. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were applied to evaluate risk factors for disease-related and overall survival. ResultsSixty-five dogs were conservatively managed, 125 treated with LFS and 143 with osteotomy techniques. At follow-up (autumn 2018), 164 dogs (49.3 %) were alive and 169 (50.7 %) were dead. Both final Cox proportional hazards models included variables for treatment, age, weight and hospital. In addition, the final disease-related model included a variable for orthopaedic comorbidity, while non-orthopaedic comorbidities and a time-varying effect for age on a linear scale were included in the overall survival model. Treatment method was found to have an effect on both disease-related and overall survival and surgical treatment was associated with a lower hazard than conservative treatment. ConclusionSurvival in dogs with CCLD is influenced by treatment strategy, comorbidities, age and weight.