What You Always Wanted To Know About Acl Injuries In Dogs

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) connects the femur with the tibia bone. Its function is to stabilize the knee region. Unfortunately, an ACL tear in dogs is a frequent orthopedic injury irrespective of their age, sex, breed, or size. Studies show that certain breeds are more prone than others are when it comes to such injuries. These are poodles, Labradors, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and Bichon Frises, among others.

What are the causes?

There can be many reasons why such injuries occurs in dogs but even then the reasons why these animals are prone to this is not yet known thoroughly. Wear and tear of a biochemical nature gradually weakens the ligament in this region ultimately leading to complete ligament tear. Athletic activities are the main reason of such injuries and sometimes the rupture may occur instantly without any prior signals. However, at other times it may be a gradual development leading to ultimate damage. So, if your dog is highly rambunctious it is important for you to pay attention because ACL can build up over time or show itself anywhere, any time!

Is there a way to prevent?

You love your pet and want to see it healthy and playful at all times. In such a scenario, it is natural that you will want to prevent occurrence of such debilitating conditions as ACL injuries. So, is there anything you can do to keep your pet safe from such occurrences? The only thing you can do is to ensure that your dog remains in optimal physical condition at all times. Dog ACL is prone to injury and you can minimize the chances of this happening by keeping your pet well conditioned. It is important to remember that even the best of the canines can suffer from such conditions but good physical form surely limits their occurrence.

What are the symptoms?

Weakness or lameness in hind legs, a reluctance to jump, run, get up, go down or up the stairs are some of the symptoms that tells you that all is not right with your dog. Further muscle atrophy related to the limb, knee joint swelling, odd or peculiar sitting posture, morning stiffness during getting up, all indicate that something is quite wrong.

The diagnosis

Once you are sure that your dog is suffering from some kind of ACL inflammation or rupture, do not waste time. Take it to the nearest veterinarian to get a proper diagnosis of the problem. They generally undertake cranial drawer testing to find signs of looseness. After this, an x-ray of the affected region tells the vet about the degree of aggravation. X-rays identify the presence of fragments, bone spurs, arthritis, or fluids in the joint area. In general, partial raptures are more difficult to diagnose.

The treatment

What is the treatment regarding inflammation of cruciate ligament dogs? Veterinarians generally prescribe complete rest for your dog with severe limitations on activities. Anti-inflammatory, non-steroidal drugs are ideal for the canine. Surgery of course is the ultimate way to treat such problems.

About The Author

Renee McAdams is a renowned veterinarian and a big time dog lover who has dedicated her life to the health and wellbeing of pets across the world. She likes to write various informative articles about medical procedures like dog ACL surgery and more to help people get acquainted with their various aspects.

Renee McAdams is a renowned veterinarian and a big time dog lover.