The most common signs that your dog has a cruciate ligament injury are the inability to walk or bear weight on a leg, significant pain while walking, and unusual sleeping positions. Swelling around the knee and loud clicking sounds are other key indicators of a torn ACL in dogs.
Although it is possible for a dog's torn ligament to heal on its own, most dogs will require surgery, lots of rest, and rehabilitation therapy to recover fully. Every dog will have a different recovery time, but expect your dog's exercise to be restricted for a few months.
Unlike the ACL in people, in dogs, the cruciate ligament is load-bearing because a dog's leg remains bent while they are standing. If your dog's cruciate becomes injured or torn, your dog's knee will become unstable, reducing your pup's ability to run and walk normally and causing pain.
Cruciate ligament dog injuries can be treated effectively, most commonly through surgery. Through ongoing pain relief through drugs, supplements, rehabilitation exercises, and weight management is a necessary part of treatment, surgery is the mainstay of this process's management.
While surgery is most often viewed as the best treatment of cranial cruciate ligament tears, there are non-surgical treatment options. These include activity restriction, anti-inflammatories, rehab, and custom knee braces.
A cruciate ligament rupture is usually extremely painful and the knee joint becomes unstable, resulting in lameness. A more chronic form of cruciate damage occurs due to progressive weakening of the ligaments as a result of repeated trauma or arthritic disease.
A cruciate ligament rupture is usually extremely painful and the knee joint becomes unstable, resulting in lameness. A more chronic form of cruciate damage occurs due to progressive weakening of the ligaments as a result of repeated trauma or arthritic disease.
Hydrotherapy provides excellent benefits for dogs recovering from ligament injuries. Dogs receive exercise without pressuring their joints. It's also a safe way for a dog to let off some of his pent-up energy without putting any weight on his legs.
You'll likely see some level of lameness in your dog, as they won't be able to put too much weight on the injured leg. A dog with an ACL tear will avoid jumping into your car or have difficulty rising from the ground.
The quick answer is yes, typically you can walk with a torn ligament or tendon in the foot. Walking may be painful but you can typically still walk.
ACL surgery for dogs can cost anywhere between $1,500 to $4,000 or more, says Dr. Alex Schechter, D.V.M., the founder of Burrwood Veterinary in Detroit.
This “traumatic” rupture can happen in dogs but is quite rare. Most commonly, CCLD is caused by a combination of many factors, including aging of the ligament (degeneration), obesity, poor physical condition, conformation, and breed.
Contact your vet as soon as you can if you discover something painful. If you think your dog is limping because of inflammation, alternate between ice and heat packs to lower the level of swelling and discomfort. Call your veterinarian to ask them when you should be applying the packs.
Long-term knee instability
If you wait too long to treat a torn ACL, you're at risk of developing chronic knee pain and knee instability. Waiting to get treatment may mean that surgery is your only option.
Clinical signs of muscle tears include pain on palpation (examination by touch during a physical exam) of the injured area, lameness or limping, swelling of the muscle, and bruising. The clinical signs may be difficult to detect if the tear is mild.
A total tear can be just as painful as a broken bone. Below are some signs that you may have a torn ligament: Snapping, popping or crackling sound (at the time of the injury) Pain that doesn't improve within a day or two.
It is entirely possible for a dog to recover from an ACL tear without surgery. Many dogs heal through surgery alternatives like orthopedic braces and supplements. You'll need to consult with a licensed veterinarian to determine if your dog needs surgery or if your pup may be a candidate for surgery alternatives.
Without surgery, the lameness caused by a partially torn or ruptured ACL will improve or go away completely in many dogs, especially small ones. You can expect this to happen within three to six weeks. That doesn't mean sit around and let your dog suffer for a month and a half.
While some ligament tears are relatively minor, you shouldn't take them lightly. Make sure to see your doctor right away if the pain and swelling don't decrease within 24 to 72 hours, you cannot bear any weight on the affected body part, or your symptoms get worse.
While a torn ligament can heal on its own over time, it is best to seek out medical attention to ensure that the affected area heals correctly without a lot of excessive scarring.
Because ligaments and tendons are made of connective tissue, continued use and movement may only aggravate the injury further.
If the limp doesn't begin to resolve itself, is becoming worse, or is accompanied with whining or yelping, it's time to call your vet or visit your nearest emergency vet. Your veterinarian has the training and knowledge to best determine the cause and severity of your pup's pain.
If your puppy is limping but still playing, this is probably a sign of a superficial injury. Superficial injuries can include: Cuts or scrapes from stepping on something sharp. Burns from stepping on the hot pavement.
Take your dog to the vet's office immediately if they can't put any weight on their leg, show extreme pain (this could include crying out), have swelling or injury and are reluctant to move or eat. If your pup is still limping after a day, take them to the vet.