Our Dogue de Bordeaux (very large at 145 lbs) had his 1st TPLO in June 2011 for a partially torn CCL and his 2nd TPLO a couple of weeks ago (other knee) with a again a partially torn CCL and Meniscus. He is now 16 days post op and doing well. His 2 week check up show’s he’s right where he needs to be, lateral movement is as it should be, we’ve started passive range of motion therapy for him and will continue to support him with his sling for at least 4-6 more weeks (snow and ice on flagstones), so we don’t risk him slipping and injuring the new surgical leg. He does have controlled walking on the “lawn” where he has solid footing. I think we’re the only place that shovels their yard…LOL

We had Fabulous results with his first leg, No residual limping at all even after agressive play/exercise. Kudos to our surgeon, Dr. G. Bouck and his staff!

After care, they tell me can either make or break the success of the surgery. Take nothing for granted, do your best and be diligent.

Best of luck to all in a hopefully uneventful recovery.

A few tips from one owner to another:

• Inexpensive, non slip flooring – Wal-Mart Puzzle pieces kids playroom floor
• X-Large dogs – an X-Pen is ideal more room for you to sit with them while icing and heat
• Lots of tummy rubs, massages, hugs and kisses….. (that’s the easy part)

TPLO On Two Legs Within One Year – Pilot is a post from: Dog Knee and Leg Injury, Canine Cruciate Ligament Recovery, TPLO Surgery, CCL Injury Diagnosis, Dog Knee Brace Information

Well I thought I may have been lucky but now, I think not. My beautiful Sophy had her first TPLO at 4. She is a very active, joyful Lab and after doing the research I thought the TPLO surgery was the best option. Three years later, she has just started holding up her other leg. I have been treating her with Acupuncture and chiropractics but the vet said she would not be doing her job if she took my money for alternative treatment and my Sophy needed surgery after all.

So I will try alternative therapies and conservative management, but I have to say I am so torn. Sophy is a joyful lab that absolutely loves to run full-out, all the time. Restricting her activity forever just seems so wrong. I do not want to put her through TPLO but at 7; I just think maybe I should get it over with and let her be Sophy again.

The TPLO is a brutal surgery but in 12 weeks she will be right as rain. Conservative management and/or alternative treatment may avoid it but I would hate to string it out for a year or more and then have to do surgery anyway.

Any thoughts would be welcome. Thanks!

Deciding Between Alternative Treatment or Surgery – Sophy is a post from: Dog Knee and Leg Injury, Canine Cruciate Ligament Recovery, TPLO Surgery, CCL Injury Diagnosis, Dog Knee Brace Information

8 year old yellow lab (named Betty) that was possessed with the “I love life way too much” syndrome. We did daily walks of three miles and were joined by another lab lover twice a week for five mile adventures. One day I noticed Betty really holding back, not interested in her walk and struggling to keep up. I assumed she was starting with the hip issues that we Lab lovers are all to familiar with but a visit to her vet revealed otherwise.

X rays revealed knee issues…… I never processed that dogs have knees. Anyways, a veterinarian orthopedic specialist was recommended. We met with the doc and were given a first class education on what was going on with our friend. One hour he spent with us answering every question, regardless how inane, and most importantly spoke to us in terms we could understand. Oh, and he drew lots of pictures to illustrate his points, very helpful.

Advice to all, get a great orthopedic vet and do the surgery. My best friend, even though wounded on knee number two, is like a puppy again. They’re worth every penny.

TPLO Surgery on Both Knees – Betty is a post from: Dog Knee and Leg Injury, Canine Cruciate Ligament Recovery, TPLO Surgery, CCL Injury Diagnosis, Dog Knee Brace Information

Our family pet, Jake is a 3yo Golden Retriever. We basically noticed when he was about two, when he ran or joined us hiking he would be sore. One day he was playing in the snow and he fell through and came in the house breathing heavy and it was real difficult for him to walk or put weight on his leg. You could tell he was in pain. The vet said he had torn his cruciate.

Money was a little tight so we decided on artificial ligament surgery. I am not sure of the name. He came home real sore and cried all night even with pain meds. He did not eat, drink or go to the bathroom for days. Eventually he came around and after 8-12 weeks of following drs weekly orders of short walks to eventually runs he seemed to get better but still not 100%. But he could run again and it was fun to throw tennis balls to him again and watch him run for it!

He is now scheduled for TPLO in 3 days and I am real nervous of putting him through this pain again. I hope this surgery has better results. The Dr thinks he may have torn his original torn knee again so we may have to do another TPLO. We LOVE our dog, but we always have real expensive medical issues with our pets and we have just about depleted our savings and I hope we are not making a mistake in doing all this surgery, putting Jake through pain and I hope he understands we are trying to help him and not punish him.

I hope that he can run and be pain free ASAP!! Unfortunately, it will be winter againg by the time he will be allowed to run again! Thanks for reading and I would love any advice!!!

TPLO vs. Traditional Repair in Large Dogs – Jake is a post from: Dog Knee and Leg Injury, Canine Cruciate Ligament Recovery, TPLO Surgery, CCL Injury Diagnosis, Dog Knee Brace Information

Benson just had his last check up at 7 weeks after his TPLO surgery. He can now gradually start resuming his normal activities. We agonized over which method to persue after we learned he had a complete tear of his CCL. TPLO sounded so grusome!

We did a lot of research, including talking to a veternarian at our state veternary school. Because of Benson’s age (not yet three), size (large) and activity level (very activie and loves to run), we decided on TPLO.

He was able to put some weight on his leg the day after surgery. The first couple of days were hard because he had the plastic cone on and was still groggy from the anesthetic, but after that he did nothing but improve. We followed the walking/icing/knee movement instructions fairly well and cut down on his food as per the vet’s recommendation.

We are very happy with the TPLO surgery results. I took him to the dog park for the first time since the surgery and he was so happy to be off leash, even though it was for only a short time.

UPDATE 11/7/11 – Benson’s owner checked back in to let us know he is still doing great. He’s just about as fast as he was before the surgery (he definitely looks pretty happy in the picture!).

TPLO Surgery for Large, Active Dog – Benson is a post from: Dog Knee and Leg Injury, Canine Cruciate Ligament Recovery, TPLO Surgery, CCL Injury Diagnosis, Dog Knee Brace Information

My 1-yr old rottweiler, Rosie, suffered a right broken leg in May 2010. In Nov. 2010, she had TPLO surgery in an Orthopedic Hospital to repair the CCL and correct the angles in her leg.

Two weeks post-op, she developed severe swelling in her leg & abdomen, and a fever. I took her to my local Vet, & they sent me to the Orthopedic Hospital. Rosie was put on Clavamox, & they took a culture of ooze coming from her recent suture site. Several days later, she was switched to Zeniquin – to treat a Staph infection. She stayed on Zeniquin for 2 weeks.

Six weeks post-op, Rosie broke the top 3 screws of her TPLO brace while pulling on her leash in 2″ of fresh snow.

The next day, we returned to the Orthopedic Hospital. They stabilized her leg, and the following day, on Dec. 29th, a TPLO repair was performed. She received 3 new screws; an external fixator; and her leg was injected with antibiotics. Zeniquin was continued for 6 more weeks. Another culture was taken.

Seven weeks later, on Feb. 15th, 2011, Rosie’s external fixator was removed because the upper rod was loose. Another culture was taken.

In late March, 2011, Rosie received another injection in her leg (around the bones/plate/ & screws), of antibiotics. It was decided that the plate & screws will have to be removed after her bones have healed.

I bought an Exogen 4000+ Bone Healing Ultrasound system, and gave her 80+ daily (20 minute) treatments.

On April 14th, Rosie was started on Avelox, for 4 weeks.

She was taking Carafate for her ulcer, which healed quickly. Rosie put on weight, & started using her leg again! Rosie’s xrays showed good bone growth – for the 1st time since Dec. 2010.

April 27th, Rosie returned to the Orth. Hosp. for xrays & evaluation. Excellent bone growth; building more muscle. Scheduled to return back to Orth. Hosp. in early June for more xrays. Hoping to get the hardware removed!

Rosie will get more antibiotic injected around her bones, when the hardware is removed. Another culture will be taken. I’m sure she will need more oral antibiotics. At some later date, Rosie will need arthroscopic bi-lateral surgery on her elbows to remove bone chips due to dysplasia. We will keep our fingers crossed for her future.

Currently, Rosie is happy; eating well; playing; & using her leg very well. She has built a lot of muscle. Rosie will be 2 years old on July 4th, 2011.

To summarize, we almost lost Rosie due to infections & medications. We considered amputation of her rt. hind leg; and even euthanasia. It was a very dark 6 months. Of course, Rosie was, (and is), taking 6+ Tramadol daily for pain. Thousands of pills/hours of care ’round the clock.

My previous rottie had 2-TPLO surgeries with no complications. He had 6 more years of running & playing.

UPDATE ON ROSIE

This is a follow-up on my rottweiler, Rosie’s story, following TPLO surgery in Nov. 2010. Rosie will turn 2 year’s old on July 4th, 2011.

On June 15th, Rosie had the plate & 6 screws from her TPLO surgery/ & revision, removed due to contamination from staph. The original top (3) broken screws were left inside the bone. They were entirely encased in solid bone.

Purulent material was removed from the joint capsule; and slime was debrided off the bones. R-gel antibiotic was infused around the entire area. Rosie was kept in a hard cast for 2+ weeks.

After culture results came back, Rosie continued a 6 + 1/2 week course of Avelox.

We are keeping our fingers crossed! Rosie is doing very well now. Will keep updating.

UPDATE

Rosie is now getting aquatherapy! She finished her antibiotics, (Avelox), and is rapidly growing muscle!

I’d like to give credit to (VOSM), Vetetinary Orthopedic Sports Medicine Group, Annapolis Junction, MD. Dr. Sherman Canapp is Rosie’s surgeon, and Dr. Scott Christopher helped us every step of the way. They saved Rosie’s leg, and her life.

TPLO Surgery Complications & Staph Infection – Rosie is a post from: Dog Knee and Leg Injury, Canine Cruciate Ligament Recovery, TPLO Surgery, CCL Injury Diagnosis, Dog Knee Brace Information

Hi my name is Hannah and I had my TPLO surgery on March 8th 2011.

I stayed one night in hospital and came home with so many meds my owners didn’t quite know what to think! For the first week I was given Percocet every 8 hours for pain and antibiotics every 12 hours for infection, which I didn’t have. Plus, I was given 1/2 meloxicam tablets for the first 10 days. I really hated all those pills I had to take because they made me feel weird.

My mom did most of the rehab with me because my dad has a very busy job, he’s a shift worker. I had a sling and a harness so I could go up and down our stairs easier when I had to do potty breaks. I only used the sling for 2 weeks because after that mom just used the harness to help me go slowly up and down our stairs. I’m not on any pain meds now or antibiotics because I’m healing really well. My dr was really good – he didn’t use stitches so I don’t have to go back to have anything removed.

I go back for my xray on May 2nd, which will be 8 weeks post surgery. I am now 24 days in. I’ve been to my vet for a check up and she says I’m doing great.

I start rehab at The Spaw on April 13th. I think that will help me to use my leg without limping as much and it will help build muscle. I can’t wait to go for my first long walk in the park where we would go before my surgery all the time. I dream about it every night. The lake where I watch the ducks swim and all the great huge sticks I love to carry. I think that’s my favorite part of the walk. I know my mom and dad are doing what’s best for me right now because they love me so much. They bought me a big kennel we keep in our living room, but I hate it in there so I get to lay on my ortho bed outside of it.

I’ll keep you all updated on my progress as I go. Thank you for letting me tell my story.

~Hannah~

TPLO Surgery Experience – Hannah is a post from: Dog Knee and Leg Injury, Canine Cruciate Ligament Recovery, TPLO Surgery, CCL Injury Diagnosis, Dog Knee Brace Information

My Schutzhund competition dog had tplo surgery 6 months ago. His recovery was very slow. I did plenty of low impact therapy from month one, then put him back on Rimadyl when the surgeon advised that he should be able do everything he did prior to surgery. After some hard training work, he developed a large swelling over the joint, and a small fistula began to drain.

I am resigned that my dog can no longer do the work to compete in the sport. Had I know the outcome, I would have opted for extra capsular repair.

Think twice about Tplo. When it works, I hear good things, but when it goes bad……it goes very, very bad.

Tplo Complications in Dogs – Hammer is a post from: Dog Knee and Leg Injury, Canine Cruciate Ligament Recovery, TPLO Surgery, CCL Injury Diagnosis, Dog Knee Brace Information

This last surgery came about because we noticed her favoring her left leg, and decided to let her rest and restricted her activity for two weeks. We were noticing her getting better, but then came the HUGE snowstorm!!! Tilly is in heaven when playing in snow, so it was only a matter of time… Lo and behold our lovable and playful doggie was lame. She could put no weight on her leg, and alas, the Vet recommended surgery for her repair.

We took Tilly in on Monday for the operation, she stayed overnight and was able to come home on Tuesday morning. Our home is an upside down house which means our living area is upstairs so it was a challenge the first two days to heft her 90lb. butt up and down that back deck stairs for her to do her business. She did not poop until two days home (4 days after surgery) and when she did she seemed much relieved as we were. Tilly is still recovering and we will keep you informed. We believe rest and love will have Tilly back on her feet and playing in the snow and on the beach in no time.

4 Week Update:

Tilly was doing great and then another snow storm came and her outside brakes were a bit harder to maneuver and she twisted her bad leg. Doc says she just needs more time to recover and so it is a slow process. She is putting weight on her injured leg now so we are glad about that. No more helping her up our staircases!! I am glad it happened in the winter because come spring she will be raring to get into the ocean.

TPLO Repair Surgery on Second Leg – Tilly is a post from: Dog Knee and Leg Injury, Canine Cruciate Ligament Recovery, TPLO Surgery, CCL Injury Diagnosis, Dog Knee Brace Information

Help!  My dog is limping – Could it be a torn ligament?

This guide is a good starting place for anyone looking for more information on dog knee problems, specifically cruciate ligament injury in dogs.  This article will give an overview of dog knee injuries covering everything from symptoms to recovery.

What is a Cruciate Ligament Injury?

An injury to the CCL (also known as the cranial cruciate ligament and sometimes called the ACL) can cause lameness in dogs, and is one of the most common causes of rear leg lameness. The function of the cruciate ligament in dogs is to stop the femur (large bone at the top of the leg, above knee) and tibia (smaller bone at bottom of leg, below knee) from rubbing against one another. When the cranial cruciate ligament is torn or ruptured the leg loses stability because these bones are now free to move back and forth on top of one another, causing friction, inflammation, possible meniscal injury and eventually arthritis.

During activities with a healthy dog ACL ligament there will be tension on the ligament, preventing the femur from pressing into the tibia, creating a sliding motion for fluid movement. If your dog is walking or running with a cruciate ligament tear there will be no tension on the CCL, allowing the bones to unnaturally move together, causing pain, lameness and an aversion to using the leg. The best way to think of this would be to envision the ligament like a rubber band, but instead of holding the bones together, the rubber band is in place to prevent the bones from coming into contact. When the rubber band is snapped, there is no longer a gliding joint in the knee and there is contact between the bones.

Acute vs. Chronic Causes of Cruciate Ligament Injury

Acute injury is generally associated with trauma. If the CCL (also referred to as ACL because of it’s similar function to the human ACL) is injured acutely it will most often be due to improper rotation of the knee and hyper extension. This can occur in many different ways such as a dog taking a misstep off a curb, stepping into a divot, jumping or becoming stuck, using a jerking motion to free him/herself.

Chronic injury of the canine ACL is generally associated with disease, age related degenerative changes of the ligament, excess weight (obesity) and conformation of the knee joint (certain large breed dogs are more prone to these types of injuries due to the way their back legs are formed). In the case of chronic injury of the cruciate ligament, there is very little that can be done to prevent the injury from taking place.

Size Matters

Small and large dogs fair differently with the same type of ACL injury. Studies have shown that dogs weighing less than about 25 pounds can experience a full recovery from ligament damage without surgery. This is not true in dogs above the 25 pound threshold. While dogs over 25 pounds may appear to be improving with conservative methods, these larger dogs rarely return to their full function without any issue. This is not to say that there has never been a case of a medium to large sized dog recovering from a torn CCL with only conservative management, but does demonstrate that smaller dogs have an easier time fully recovering using the conservative approaches.

Symtoms of a torn, ruptured or injured CCL will vary from dog to dog, and depending on whether the injury was acute or chronic in nature. Some dogs with a fully torn cruciate may only exhibit mild lameness, while others with a tear may not bear any weight on the leg at all. This again varies based on the type of dog, their size and whether other structures within the knee (particularly the meniscus) were also damaged. Below are some of the most common symptoms associated with a dog knee ligament injury.

Symptoms of a Dog ACL Tear:

1. Decreased range of motion.
2. Hind leg extended straight when sitting down (this is known as the sit sign).
3. Crackling noise of bones rubbing against each other – the medical term for this is Crepitus.
4. Dog exhibits signs of pain when knee (stifle) joint is touched.
5. Exercise intolerance.
6. Limited range of motion or mobility.
7. Stiffness, limping or unwillingness to use the leg after exercise.
8. Knee joint is swollen and/or hot to the touch.
9. Thick, tight, hard and/or firm feel to knee.
10. When standing will only place weight on the toe instead of using entire foot (called toe-touching). An early sign of toe-touching is to only have weight on one side of the body when standing.

There are other conditions with symptoms similar to a dog ACL injury such as: arthritis, knee sprain, meniscal injury, hip dysplasia, patellar fracture, patellar luxation, myelopathies, lyme disease and others. Please schedule an appointment with your vet if your dog shows any of the CCL tear symptoms listed above.

What if my dog’s CCL is never repaired?

This, again, depends on their size, breed and a number of other factors. Some dogs without a CCL may do just fine, while others may use the ability to use their leg. One truth for any dog without a supporting knee ligament is the fact that they will be more succeptible to injuring other structures within the knee, particularly the meniscus. The role of the mensicus in the knee is to act as a cushion, and absorb shocks. Damage to the meniscus is serious and typically leads to arthritic change and lameness.

What to Expect During Your First Veterinary Visit for a Suspected CCL Injury

Consultation and Review of Symptoms

Your veterinarian will review your dog’s symptoms and time of onset.  Going through a detailed history will allow your vet to determine if conditions with similar symptoms may be ruled out at this time.

Physical Exam

Walking Gait

Your veterinarian will want to watch your dog walk and run to see how they are balancing their weight and using the affected leg.

Palpation of the Joint

Your veterinarian will touch your dog’s knee to assess the joint looking for signs of:

• Swelling or Inflammation
• Loss of Muscle Tone
• Pain or Soreness
• Range of Motion
• Popping of the Joint
• Fluid Accumulation

Drawer Sign Test

During the drawer test the veterinarian with stabilize your dog’s femur with one hand while manipulating the tibia with the other. If the tibia moves forward, known as a positive drawer because of the way the bone moves similar to a drawer being opened, the ligament is ruptured.   A negative drawer sign does not necessarily mean your canine does not have a cranial cruciate injury, and false negatives can happen if your pet is tense, if the injury is old and if there is arthritis.

Tibial Compression Exam

Another test, similar to the eliciting the drawer sign, is the tibial compression test. During this exam your veterinary physician will stabilize the dog’s femur with one hand, while flexing the ankle with the other. In dogs with a ruptured cranial cruciate ligament, the tibia will display forward motion upon flexion of the ankle joint.  Again, a negative tibial compression exam does not rule out a cruciate ligament injury, and many factors can contribute to a false negative result.

How to Test a Dog for a Knee Ligament Injury

X-Rays for CCL Injuries

Radiographs are usually taken, not to diagnose a cruciate ligament injury (soft tissue damage is not clearly visible on x-ray), but to rule out other diseases such as cancer and hip dysplasia. An xray will confirm the presence of fluid in the joint as well as arthritis, which will help to confirm the diagnosis of a cruciate ligament injury.

Ultrasound for CCL Injuries

Ultrasound may be used to positively diagnose a CCL injury. Unfortunately a minority of medical clinics are equipped to do ultrasound, and many veterinarians rely on the results of the consultation with you, physical exam and ruling out any other conditions by x-ray to make the diagnosis of a CCL injury.

My Dog Has Received a Positive Diagnosis of a CCL Injury – What Are My Treatment Options?

There are two major avenues for treating a dog knee ligament injury – conservative management or dog knee surgery.

What Is Conservative Management?

Conservative management is a non-surgical option for treating cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injuries in dogs. Depending on the size of your dog, the severity of the injury, presence of other damage (particularly to the meniscus – remember, this is the part of the knee that acts as a shock absorber) and the duration of time since the onset CM may be a good option for your dog. As mentioned above, dogs weighing less than 25 pounds tend to have better outcomes using conservative techniques than larger dogs.

A variety of techniques can be used if you choose Conservative Management (CM) for your pet.

Conservative Management Includes:

“Standard” Conservative Management

• Rest – Your dog should remain inactive during the recovery period, abstaining from rough play, prolonged exercise or any movement that may cause any pressure or unwanted movement within the knee joint.
• Weight Control (and reduction if necessary) – One way to reduce stress on the joint is to keep your dog’s weight under control, and if possible, underweight is better during the recovery process.
• Anti Inflammatory Medications – There are a number of Holistic (ex – Yucca Root) and Prescription (ex – Rimadyl) medications available that can help to make your pet more comfortable as the knee heals.

“Optional” Conservative Management

• Dog Knee Brace – There are a variety of dog knee braces available including the orthopets canine stifle brace and atrac dynamic brace.
• Veterinary Acupuncture – Acupuncture for dogs is available, and can help to de-stress your pet as their body heals.
• Veterinary Chiropractic - A chiropractor can work with your dog to make sure your pet is free from any subluxations or other blockages.
• Physical Therapy for Dogs – Working with a certified canine physical therapist can help to ensure your dog maintains muscle tone and range of motion in the leg following their injury.

What Are The Different Types of Surgery for Dog ACL Injuries?

Dog Knee Surgery Options:

TPLO Surgery (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy)

This surgery adjusts the slope of the tibial plateau (preventing unwanted forward motion) by cutting and rotating the top of the tibia, and keeping it in position with a bone plate (which can be removed after healing).

TTA Surgery (tibial tuberosity advancement)

The TTA surgery also focuses on changing the angles of the bones within the knee joint. In a TTA the tibia is cut and moved forward to create stability. The new position of the bone is held into place with a bone plate (which can be removed after healing).

TTO Surgery (triple tibial osteotomy)

The TTO is a combintation of the TPLO and TTA techniques. It moves the tibial crest forward, as a TTA does, and also adjusts the tibial plateau to 90 degrees, as the TPLO does.

Tightrope Surgery

Tightrope CCL is an extra capsular technique using the lateral suture stabilization (LSS) procedure in conjunction with a material called FiberTape to provide bone to bone stabilization.

Extra Capsular Suture (traditional repair, extracapsular imbrication)

This is referred to as a traditional repair because this was once the conventional treatment for CCL tears. The extra capsular suture uses a strong leader line suture in a figure eight pattern around the knee to provide stability and keep the knee in a normal position.

Fibular Head Transposition (fibular head transfer)

The fibular head transfer surgery utilizes another ligament in the knee, the lateral collateral ligament, to take the place of the CCL. In this surgery the fibula is rotated so that the lateral collateral ligament can perform the function of the CCL.

Dog CCL Surgery Recovery

Depending on where the ligament surgery was performed, your dog may stay overnight to be monitored and receive pain medications following the procedure. TPLO surgery recovery can be different from TTA surgery recovery, so it’s important to follow the recommendations of your vet during the post operative period. Your dog’s sutures will be removed within a week or two of the procedure, and follow up appointments are typically done at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks. Again, depending on the type of surgery done, radiographs may be done during these follow up appointments.

During the 6-14 week period following surgery it is very important to severely limit your pet’s activities. For approximately three months following dog knee ligament surgery your pet should be confined to a crate, small room or enclosed area when you are not able to be with your pet. You will probably want to make use of a dog cone collar – Elizabethan collars or Pro collars are my favorite. Make sure to post operative doggy proof your house and make sure they have no opportunity to slip, slide, jump up onto furniture, climb up stairs or engage in any activity that may damage the healing knee.

While outside you should accompany your dog for bathroom breaks, and they should always be controlled on a leash – you never know when a post operative dog may get the urge to chase a squirrel! You may increase the length of walks during the recovery period under the recommendation of your veterinarian and judging by how well your dog is recovering. I strongly recommend not letting your dog off leash at all during the first few months following surgery just to be on the safe side. Your veterinarian will most likely encourage you to have your pet use the injured limb immediately following surgery, but do not overdo it. Physical therapy during this time can also be very beneficial, and swimming is a great way to ensure your dog gets to use their leg (helping to maintain strength and muscle mass) without engaging in any activities that may be harmful to the knee.

Cruciate Ligament Injury in Dogs is a post from: Dog Knee and Leg Injury, Canine Cruciate Ligament Recovery, TPLO Surgery, CCL Injury Diagnosis, Dog Knee Brace Information