Summary
The inflammatory response in 73 dogs with spontaneous rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament was studied. Collagen I and II antibodies (CI, CII), antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in synovial fluid (SF) and serum were analysed, as well as serum thyroxine (T4) and free thyroxine (fT4). The type and degree of synovitis did not affect the concentration of antibodies to CI&II. The histological findings of the synovial membranes in 47 dogs were graded as mild non-specific synovitis in 21%, moderate nonspecific synovitis in 32%, moderate lymphoplasmacytic synovitis in 36% and nodular lymphoplasmacytic synovitis in 11% of the dogs. Of 45 dogs four had lower than normal concentration of T4 and fT4. There was not any evidence of a primary autoimmune response.
Keywords
Cruciate ligament rupture - dogs - inflammation
