What Is An ACL Tear In A Dog: ACL VS CCL
The anatomical structure of the connective tissue in the human knee is called, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), in dogs however, this connective tissue is called cranial cruciate ligament (CCL). For the purpose of this article we will assume the colloquial term of ACL, even as we refer to the knee injury in dogs. This knee ligament in dogs connects the femur bone (the upper thigh bone) to the tibia (the bone below the knee) in their hind legs.
You have probably noticed that when your dog is standing, their knee is always slightly bent. The anatomical structure of the dog’s hind legs is quite different from their friendly bipedal owners. The ACL in a dog is always ‘load’ bearing and they are quick to spring into action in a moment’s notice, this makes the ligament susceptible to injury.
Typically, when ACL tears are observed in humans it is a result of a one-time blunt trauma, while participating in sports or activities. This is not so with dogs, often there is a minor tear that over time worsens with continued use. If a dog is experiencing a minor ACL tear, the dog will begin to bear more weight in the non-injured knee as a means of protection, this compensatory behavior will often lead to injury in both knees.
ACL tears in dogs generally begin as small, subtle injuries rather than a one-time trauma, it is therefore often possible to begin to attend to the injury early on and avoid invasive surgery. If you notice that your dog is limping slightly, it is worth investigating if the dog has incurred some trauma to the knee and is experiencing a slight ACL tear so that you can begin to take healing action in the early stage of injury.
The experience of a dog with a torn ACL is substantially different from the human one. So yes, a dog can live with a torn ACL, particularly if the owner of the dog is able to notice an adaptable limp in their dog in the early stages of injury. It is likely that the ACL tear in your dog will heal through alternative treatments easily performed at home without turning to invasive surgery. For most small dogs weighing less than 30 lbs., the injury will go away without interference within three to six weeks.
Contributing Factors Associated With Torn ACL In Dogs: Age, Activity, Breed, And Weight
ACL tears in dogs are the most common injury an orthopedic veterinarian will encounter. While ACL tears and ruptures are common for any dog breed, size, or age this injury affects certain breeds with greater frequency than others.
The following is a list of breeds that are more prone to ACL tears than others:
If you are the owner of any of these breeds you will want to be particularly observant and mindful of ACL tears early on so that you might treat the injury before it escalates to affect the surrounding bone.
Obesity and excess weight are also contributing factors towards your dog experiencing an injury to the knee joint. For a variety of health reasons including heart conditions, diabetes, and proper circulation it is advised that your dog be kept in an ideal weight range for their individual bone structure through healthy diet and regular exercise.
Larger breeds weighing more than 30 lbs. are more likely to experience ACL tears regardless of whether they are obese or in the healthy weight range. The more weight that the knee joint bears, the greater the frequency of injury. It is crucial for your pet’s health that you are mindful to keep their body composition in a healthy range. Obese dogs are exponentially more likely to incur injury to the knee joint, as the musculoskeletal structure is unable to bear the additional weight. As a preventative measure be sure to keep your dog, regardless of breed, in a healthy weight range.
As dogs age, muscle density is reduced and bones become more fragile. As years pass the likelihood of your dog experiencing an ACL tear increases. You may want to consider giving your dog vitamins that will support the longevity of their bone and muscular strength.
Most important, ACL tears affect dogs that experience inconsistent activity. Often referred to as the weekend warrior, these are dogs that get little exercise during the week, as their owners are busy at work. When the weekend comes around they are given the opportunity to run around in dog parks, beaches, and trails without having the supportive regular training throughout the week. This abrupt exposure to activity can have lethal results on the knee joint.
As a pet owner, it can be challenging to be consistent with exercise routines for your special furry friend. Work commitments and responsibilities can get in the way. If you do plan on giving your dog ample exercise on the weekends, be sure that at least two-three times during the week they are also able to run around to the point that full flexion of the knee joint occurs. Dogs that regularly express the full range of motion will be well adjusted for the rigors of weekend fun at dog parks, beaches, and trails.
Opting to Avoid Dog ACL Surgery
Most canine ACL injuries begin small, such as a sprain, so surgery may not even be required. There are alternative methods that can mend a small tear such as anti-inflammatory drugs, dog leg braces, physical therapy, nutritional support, and more.
Even then, there is no guarantee that your dog will be healed. Pet Helpful found that about 85% of dogs that weighed less than 30 pounds improved without surgery following a strict physical therapy routine, while only 19% of canines over 30 pounds showed signs of improvement.
Be wary of using physical therapy if you cannot monitor your dog’s movements, as your dog is still at risk to further the tear if they overexert their injured leg.
If you opt to leave the injury alone, you dog will continue to experience pain as they use their injured leg. Like a human with a sprained ankle trying to walk, your dog will limp and put more weight on their opposite side. This can lead to arthritis in your dog’s injured knee joint and heightens the risk of your dog tearing their ACL in their other leg.
Without surgery, your dog’s body will attempt to stabilize its leg with scar tissues, which is not strong enough to keep the knee healthy over a long period of time. Scar tissue also limits range of motion and can stiffen your dog’s joint.
If the injury does not heal and your dog prefers to keep weight off their leg, muscle atrophy can occur. This is where muscle is lost due to lack of movement and exercise.
If your dog’s leg heals on its own, great! If you still notice that your dog is limping or apathetic after 3-6 weeks, bring them back to your vet and see what options you can take to help.
Can a Dog Live with a Torn ACL – Surgery Cost & Euthanize Options
You notice that your dog is limping slightly after a particularly exciting game of fetch. It’s possible they tore their cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), which is commonly called the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). For the purpose of this article, we will be using the colloquial term ACL as we refer to injuries in dog’s knees. The ACL is the ligament in the knee that connects the upper thigh bone to the bone below the knee. Can your dog live with a torn ACL?
The simple answer is yes, your dog can live with a torn ACL. However, your dog’s knees are not like humans. A dog’s tear can worsen over time or lead to other health complications. There are ways you can help your canine heal or lessen the strain on their injured leg.
Remember though, the bigger your pet is, the harder it is for their legs to heal on their own simply due to your dog’s weight.