Dog Knee Injury

It is not unusual for dogs who have a cranial cruciate ligament rupture in one leg to develop one in the other leg. It is a little unusual to have two severe ruptures at the same time, but it does occur, especially in large breed dogs or overweight canines. Generally the signs of this type of injury will manifest itself in the dog with an impaired gait, shaking while walking, and/or dragging the back legs. It is not unusual for veterinarians and pet owners to think that partial paralysis is present or that the severe lameness is due to spinal disc disease because of the severity of the presentation. Read the rest of this entry »

Surgical intervention for cranial cruciate ligament repair can be a costly and time-intensive process. The procedure can range anywhere from $800 to $2500 plus, depending on which surgical technique is used.  Your dog will also need to be on a number of medications including sedatives, antibiotics, and anti inflammatories.  Owners must place their pets under strict supervision for a few months to follow the procedure, to ensure that the stability of the procedure is maintained. All of these factors need to be taken into consideration when developing the best treatment plan for your dog. Read the rest of this entry »

Conservative management is a non-surgical option for treating cranial cruciate injuries in dogs. Depending on the size of your dog, the severity of the injury and the duration of time since the onset of the CCL damage, your veterinarian may suggest CM in lieu of surgical intervention. Conservative management is focused around three basic principles:

1. Weight management
2. Exercise moderation/rest
3. Using anti-inflammatory medications

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