Evaluation of pentosan polysulfate sodium in the postoperative recovery from cranial cruciate injury in dogs: a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Budsberg SC, Bergh MS, Reynolds LR, et al. · Veterinary Surgery

The primary analyses were null: all dogs improved after surgery with no difference between PPS and placebo in lameness score, vertical ground-reaction forces, or radiographic progression. Treatment effects appeared only in subgroups — faster braking-force recovery when dogs were grouped by initial radiographic score, and lower degradation biomarkers at 6 weeks in dogs with partial meniscectomy.

Population

40 client-owned dogs after cranial cruciate ligament surgery

Intervention

PPS 3 mg/kg subcutaneous weekly for 4 weeks post-operatively

Comparator

Placebo injection

Limitations

Veterinary population; modest size; the positive findings are subgroup analyses, not the primary comparisons.