Grant Amount: $160,246

Dr. Peter Muir, BVSc, PhD, University of Wisconsin, Madison

January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2014

Sponsor(s): Portuguese Water Dog Club of America, Inc., TarTan Gordon Setter Club

Breed(s): American Staffordshire Terrier, Beagle, Border Collie, Border Terrier, Boxer, Bulldog, Cocker Spaniel, Dogue de Bordeaux, German Shepherd Dog, German Wirehaired Pointer, Golden Retriever, Great Pyrenees, Labrador Retriever, Mastiff, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard, Small Munsterlander Pointer, Standard Schnauzer, Swedish Vallhund

Disease(s): Cruciate Ligament Rupture

Research Program Area: Musculoskeletal Conditions and Disease

Abstract

Cruciate rupture (CR) is a common degenerative condition of the canine knee (stifle). This economically important condition causes 20% of lameness in dogs and is disabling. Each knee contains two cruciate ligaments (cranial and caudal) that are located within the joint and stabilize the knee. Degeneration, fraying and progressive fiber rupture commonly affects both ligaments, but particularly the cranial or anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Current surgical treatments stabilize the knee but do not directly treat the damaged or ruptured ligament. The main goal of Dr. Muir's research is to develop a safe and effective therapy that will prevent progressive tearing of ligament fibers, enable ligament healing, and block arthritis progression in affected dogs. To accomplish this goal, his research group will study a new regenerative medicine treatment using growth factors derived from a type of white blood cell, the platelet, concentrated from the patient's own blood. They will determine whether this treatment can promote cruciate healing and reduce progressive ligament rupture in dogs with early CR and clinically stable knees. Overall, this work promises improved outcomes for all dogs affected by CR disease.