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Cruciate ligament rupture in dogs is a condition that brings many four-legged friends to the vet. It involves damage to the animal’s knee joint, more specifically the cruciate ligament, which is its most important component. It usually affects physically active large and giant breeds, overweight or obese animals, as well as those that have previously suffered knee joint damage. Some dogs are genetically predisposed to cruciate ligament rupture, including Labrador Retrievers, Rottweilers, Boxers, and German Shepherds.
The cruciate ligament is responsible for stabilizing the knee joint. When the ligament is torn, the joint becomes unstable, which manifests itself in pain, lameness, and limited mobility of the limb. This type of injury usually occurs during very sudden movements, intense physical activity, jumping, or playing. Gradual degradation of the ligament may also be related to the advanced age of the animal.
The symptoms of a torn cruciate ligament in dogs are immediately noticeable and include:
● sudden lameness,
● avoiding putting weight on the limb,
● difficulty moving (e.g., stiff gait, problems getting up, climbing stairs),
● pain when touched, excessive licking of the painful area,
● swelling of the knee,
● instability of the knee joint,
● a cracking sound in the joint when moving the limb,
● reduced activity, lethargy.
If you notice symptoms of a torn cruciate ligament in your dog, don’t wait! The animal’s condition will not improve without veterinary care, and the condition causes constant pain and discomfort. In addition, if treatment is not started early enough, it can lead to the development of osteoarthritis, meniscus damage, and even muscle atrophy.
The first stage of diagnosis is a medical history. The veterinarian must find out how the cruciate ligament rupture occurred in the dog. This is followed by a drawer test and a tibial tuberosity push test to assess knee instability. If necessary, imaging tests are also performed. After the initial tests, the specialist decides on the treatment method. The cost of treating a cruciate ligament rupture in dogs largely depends on the severity of the injury and the method chosen.
Depending on the complexity of the cruciate ligament rupture in a dog, the cost of treatment can range from several hundred to even several thousand dollars. Surgical procedures such as TPLO, or tibial plateau osteotomy, and TTA, or advanced tibial osteotomy, are particularly expensive. Traditional techniques such as ligament reconstruction are also used to treat this injury.
Conservative treatment, based on the administration of painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, supplements, and rehabilitation, is usually cheaper, but it is only effective in cases of partial cruciate ligament rupture or in small dogs.
At the Szmaragdowa Clinic, we treat orthopedic conditions of various origins and degrees of complexity. We have modern diagnostic laboratories and top-quality medical equipment. Our team includes qualified specialists with extensive clinical experience.
We know that every medical case is different, which is why we offer an individual approach to the treatment of each animal. When you entrust your four-legged friend to us, you can be sure that they will receive the best possible veterinary care. We carry out detailed diagnostics to best understand the cause of the problem and to be able to implement effective treatment. We care about the well-being, comfort, and safety of pets.
If you suspect that your pet may be suffering from pain in the knee joint or have noticed worrying symptoms of a torn cruciate ligament, book a consultation appointment today! A cruciate ligament injury will not heal on its own, and early intervention by a veterinarian will spare your pet unnecessary pain and protect it from serious complications.
