The body will try to stabilize the injured area with scar tissue, but it won’t be strong enough to keep the knee stable. It is not a good idea to avoid treatment for this injury, as it is painful and will only get worse. If your dog is diagnosed with this injury, below are some of the questions you’ll probably want answered. When my vet first explained the treatment options for my dog, I felt very anxious about it. Questions to Ask About Treatment for ACL Injuries in Dogs
Morrigan was a very active dog, and may have torn her ACL while running or quickly shifting directions.
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Once the condition is confirmed, it’s time to decide how to treat it. He or she will also likely perform some manipulation of the knee to determine how it’s acting. It’s not always easy to identify the tear, particularly if it’s only partial, so your vet may need to perform additional imaging tests or even an MRI. My veterinarian suspected the torn CCL and took X-rays to confirm her thoughts. Keep in mind, however, that early diagnosis and treatment of a CCL injury is preferable to waiting for the injury to get worse. A simple muscle injury can indeed cause limping, and it usually resolves on its own in a few days, so you do have the choice of resting your dog to see if the lameness disappears. If your dog shows signs of limping for more than a day, it’s always best to check with your veterinarian. Inability to move the knee as far as before.Shifting the weight away from the injured leg.Putting one leg out to the side when sitting down.The knee may feel warm to the touch, and the dog may show signs of pain or tenderness. The first sign of a problem is always limping or lameness. Several breeds of dog, including the Akita, are particularly vulnerable to ACL injuries. An animal that suffers a partial tear may begin to limp just a little at first, but without treatment, the tear will typically worsen until the lameness becomes severe. The severity of the injury can vary, from a partial tearing of the ligament to a complete tear. Breed (some breeds are prone to these injuries, including the Rottweiler, Newfoundland, Staffordshire Terrier, Mastiff, Akita, Saint Bernard, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, and Labrador Retriever).
Dogs with conformation issues, such as deformities in the knee.Overweight and obese animals-the extra weight puts more pressure on the knee.Older animals-the ligament can slowly degenerate over time research shows that most injuries occur around the age of 7-8 years.In active dogs like mine, a sudden movement such as a jump, twist, turn, or bad landing usually causes the tear.Īccording to Colorado State University, some dogs are more vulnerable to these injuries than others, including: When the CCL becomes strained or torn, it can cause lameness and other symptoms including swelling, inability to walk on the leg, and pain. Since the dog’s back knee is always slightly bent when standing, the CCL is always bearing weight, which makes it vulnerable to injury.Īccording to a 2003 study, a torn or ruptured CCL is the most common orthopedic problem seen in veterinary practices around the world. It helps stabilize the knee joint and keeps the tibia in place as the dog moves. The CCL in dogs is a short band of tough, flexible tissue that connects the back of the femur or thighbone to the front of the tibia or shinbone. Keep Your Chin Up-Your Dog Will Feel Better!.What are the surgical treatment options?.Can my dog recover from an ACL tear without surgery?.Questions to Ask About Treatment for ACL Injuries in Dogs.