Torn Acl In Dogs Treatment Options

A friend of mine has a 10 month old mixed breed dog that was just diagnosed with a torn acl.

Torn acl in dogs treatment options.

Deciding when the best time to euthanize a dog with a torn acl can often depend on the breed and size of your dog. The ccl is responsible for keeping the tibia in place beneath the femur and stabilizing the knee joint. A torn acl requires rest immobilization and often surgery. The exception may be the dog with a.

With six weeks of cage rest and leash walking most dogs almost always return to near normal function. A tear in the acl will be a much bigger problem in larger dogs because they are unable to shift their weight onto their unaffected leg as easily as a smaller breed can. If your dog tears their acl your veterinarian may recommend surgery but then you may read a story online about a dog who recovered wonderfully from an acl tear using only conservative treatments for example a knee brace. Explore the anatomy of a dog s knee the cause of acl tears in dogs and the wide variety of treatment options available.

Julie buzby shares tips information x rays and even a video on diagnosing an acl tear. Ultimately it s up to the pet owner as to what course to take but there are some options. The most popular hands on treatments for injured dogs include acupuncture acupressure chiropractic and massage. The more information you are able to obtain regarding acl tears in your dog will help to inform your decision to choose a healing modality that is suitable for both you and your pet.

Dog knee braces stabilize the knee joint. Conservative treatment for canine torn ligament. They have scheduled surgery for nov. By chronicling the story of bailey a labrador retriever with a torn acl you ll learn the facts from diagnosis.

Holistic therapies and home treatment for a dog s torn acl. I have an extremely active dog that was diagnosed with a cruciate ligament rupture some years ago first in one leg and eventually the other. This ligament connects the back of the femur the bone above the knee with the front of the tibia the bone below the knee. Conservative treatment is usually the treatment of choice for smaller dogs weighing less than 25 lbs.

First let s briefly review the treatment options. It s a common condition but that doesn t make it less scary when it s your dog who is limping. If your dog goes lame in one of their hind legs they may have torn or ruptured their cranial cruciate ligament or ccl similar to the acl in humans. Hershman a certified veterinary acupuncturist treats patients with acupuncture to alleviate pain and enhance healing of the torn ligament.

When it comes to dog acl surgery alternatives many dog owners have opted for a canine ccl brace as a cost effective solution. Brumett said dogs who have a cruciate ligament rupture that don t have surgery rehab or bracing can develop some level of stability on their own in six to 12 months but these dogs typically are not comfortable going on long walks running or jumping. Larger dogs are also more prone to torn acl injuries. The truth is that when it comes to acl injuries in dogs there is incredible variability.

A torn acl in dogs.