Causes of a Dog ACL Tear
A dog’s CCL tends to naturally weaken over time. Typically when one CCL tears, the other one is likely to tear as well. Factors that increase the risk of a CCL injury occurring are:
- Obesity
- Breed (certain breeds like Labradors, German Shepards, Rottweilers and Golden retrievers are more susceptible)
- Spaying/Neutering (if done too early)
- Size (More common in large dogs)
Like in humans, dog acl injuries mainly occur when you put excess weight on the knee during sports and fitness activities. Here are some of the possible causes for ACL injuries:
- A clumsy landing after a jump
- Abruptly halting or altering course
- Taking a direct hit to the knee or colliding with another object (like a tackle)
The cause can vary and can also happen during regular day-to-day activities since it may have already been weak.
Signs: How to Tell if Your Dog has a Torn ACL
Depending on the severity, these are some signs that may indicate that your dog tore their CCL:
- Severe pain and inability to continue an activity
- Swelling of the knee
- Loss of range of motion
- Instability or inability to bear weight on the affected leg
Please contact your veterinarian (or emergency vet clinic) if you suspect that your dog has a torn CCL.
Dog CCL Injury Treatments
There are two routes of treatment: surgical and non-surgical (also known as dog ACL tear conservative treatment). Please talk to your veterinarian about which treatment route is best for your pet.
Dog ACL Tear Conservative Treatment
Non-surgical (conservative) treatment may sound like a great dog acl surgery alternative but this is highly dependent on how bad the tear is. Your dog can still get surgery if you notice that they have not significantly improved within a 4-week time period. No need to completely rule it out as a treatment option, speak to your veterinarian about the severity of the CCL injury and if this is an option for your dog.
Conservative treatment includes:
- Bed rest for at least 8 weeks or longer. Your pup needs to be confined to a small space and only taken out on a leash for their necessities.
- Using a dog ACL brace to support their affected knee.
- Physical therapy with exercises specifically for ACL tears.
- Canine CBD Oil or veterinarian prescribed pain medications. Be careful with this because your dog may want to start bearing weight since the medication makes them feel better.
- Weight loss plan
- Joint supplements
Dog ACL Surgery
There are 5 surgical treatment options for a dog ccl injury.
- TPLO (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy)
- aCBLO (anatomic cora-based leveling osteotomy)
- TTA (tibial tuberosity advancement)
- Simitri Stable in Stride
- Tightrope (lateral fabella suture)
The most common one, with a high success rate, out of the five is TPLO surgery. Speak to your veterinarian about the pros and cons of each surgical option.
Conclusion:
A torn dog ACL or anterior cruciate ligament (also known as CCL - cranial cruciate ligament) is when a dog tears the ligament that stabilizes the knee and keeps the tibia from moving in front of the femur. Your dog may be more susceptible to an ACL injury depending on breed, obesity, size, and even if your dog is spayed or neutered. A dog CCL may already be weak and an injury is typically caused while playing or exercising. The most common symptom that your dog has a torn ACL is an inability to bear weight on the affected leg. The two forms of treatment for your dog include surgical and non-surgical (also known as dog acl tear conservative treatment). Please visit your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan if you suspect that your dog injured their ACL.
