PARTIAL AVULSION OF THE ORIGIN OF THE CRANIAL CRUCIATE LIGAMENT IN A 4-YEAR-OLD DOG

A four year-old intact male Dalmatian was referred to the veterinary t eaching hospital at Louisiana State University for acute, non-weight-b earing left hindlimb lameness of three weeks duration, Information sup plied by the referring veterinarian indicated the lameness was first d iagnosed and treated seven months previously, but recurred three weeks ago, External rotation of the left stifle, mild discomfort upon stifl e flexion, mild to moderate muscle atrophy and palpable joint effusion were noted during physical examination, Slight cranial drawer movemen t with a soft end-point was discovered during manipulation of the left stifle, A triangular bone fragment and thickened, confluent intracaps ular soft tissues were observed on radiographs of the stifle, Radiogra phically, moderate degenerative changes suggested chronicity, This rep ort describes the clinical and radiographic findings of a rarely repor ted partial avulsion of the origin of the cranial cruciate ligament in a skeletally mature dog.