ACL Injuries in Dogs – Everything You Need to Know!

ACL Injuries in Dogs – Surgery, Home Remedies Treatments, and More!

As dog owners, we all love and care for our pets and hate to see them in pain as we would our own family. One common injury dog’s face is to their anterior cruciate ligament, better known as the ACL. If you have noticed your furry friend unable to bear weight on a certain leg or has swelling on the inside of their knee this may be starting symptoms of an ACL injury. If you’re afraid that your dog may have an ACL injury, here’s everything you need to know. We’ll be discussing ACL injuries in dogs, the differences between tears and sprains, symptoms to look for in your pup, home remedies to try, and how it can be diagnosed. We will be using the phrase “ACL,” but technically it would be considered a cranial cruciate ligament or “CCL.” The terms are typically used interchangeably, with most people more familiar with the term ACL and ACL injuries in dogs.

About ACL/CCL Injuries

Surgery for Torn ACL

Home Remedies for ACL

ACL vs. CCL

When talking to your veterinarian you may hear them use the words “ACL” and “CCL” interchangeably. This is only because your vet wants you to be able to relate and understand what is going on with your pet. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) are used hand in hand by vets when discussing the issues with dog owners because most people have heard of ACL injuries in athletes or have personally experienced one themselves. It is easier for the vet to connect and explain what is going on with the dog. The anterior cruciate ligament is the tissue that connects the thighbone to the shinbone at the knee in humans. Injuries to the ACL usually occur during certain sports such as basketball, soccer, football, skiing and even tennis. Symptoms that typically come from ACL tears and sprains are knee swelling, instability, and pain. Similar to the ACL is the CCL which is functionally similar to the ACL, but in dogs. This ligament connects the back of the femur with the front of the tibia. The CCL is responsible for keeping the tibia in place beneath the femur and stabilizing the knee joint. Symptoms that come from CCL tears and sprains include swelling behind the dog’s leg and showing favor to one side being unable to bear weight on a certain leg.

Types of ACL Injuries in Dogs

American Staffordshire Terrier in front of a white background

Is your dog favoring one side more than the other? Is the back of the leg more swollen? Does your pet limp? Has there been a decrease in activity recently? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions your dog may be suffering from an ACL injury. ACL injuries can be classified as two different forms; sprains and tears. Even though symptoms can help pinpoint what is wrong with your dog, a pet owner must bring their dog to a professional to be clearly diagnosed for which injury your pet suffers from. Sprains and tears are different on levels of severity and treatments your furry friend will have to go through. Here are the general differences between an ACL sprain and tear in your pup.

ACL Sprains

ACL sprains are typically the less severe of the ACL injuries. An ACL sprain can occur when your dog stretches too far, too much, or too often. All types of dogs can get a strain, but the injury usually happens when a dog slips, falls, or jumps during their normal play regime. A sprain is not as severe as an ACL tear and can be treated with natural home remedies and rarely require surgery. Click here to see some of the many home remedy options.

ACL Tears

These injuries are more severe, and result from having the cruciate ligament separate from the bone. Surgery is the only option to truly treat this injury. ACL tears occur due to the result of a “hyperextension of the knee joint.” In these injuries, the ACL is “thrust forward” ie. hyperextension. Some of the more common scenarios reported from dog owners revolve around the dog chasing a squirrel in the backyard or playing hard with friend. Click here to see how ACL tears are diagnosed.

How Are Dog ACL Tears Diagnosed?

Going to the vet to decide whether your furry friend needs surgery can be nerve wracking, but for best diagnosis it is imperative that you seek the advice of a veterinarian who is familiar with diagnosing dog ACL tears. Diagnosis is based on different tests a vet can perform, one being called the cranial drawer test. During these tests, it is imperative that your dog be calm, so be aware that they may put the dog under a little anesthesia to have them be relaxed to make sure the test is done correctly and in a timely manner.

Description of the Cranial Drawer Test:

“The examining veterinarian positions their thumb and forefinger of one hand on the femur, and the other hand is placed on the tibia. The femur is held in place while the other hand shifts the tibia backward and forward.

In a normal, stable joint, there will be little to no motion ie. instability. Rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament allows the tibia to slide forward. Therefore, a positive cranial drawer test is indicative of cruciate ligament damage.”

Other Tests:

Another test that is used to diagnose dog ACL tears is the tibial compression test. In this assessment, “one hand is placed around the end of the femur, with the index finger extended over the patella. The other hand grasps the foot, and flexes the hock (ankle). If the tibia moves forward, it is an indication of ACL damage.”

Finally, another test your veterinarian can use is to have radiographs, for example x-rays. Usually these x-rays are taken of the knees and the hips. X-rays are a great tool because they can show if your dog also is suffering from arthritis and can show if they have any other health issues such as fractures that can be contributing to their pain.

Factors that can Contribute to ACL Injuries

Certain dog breeds (large dog breeds)

• Labrador retrievers, Newfoundlands, German shepherds, Rottweilers, and Golden retrievers are among to the top dogs for ACL injuries.
“Weekend Warrior Dogs”

• Weekend warrior dogs are considered dogs who do not get a lot of exercise during the week due to their owner's work schedule but during the weekend partake in strenuous activity.
Older dogs

• Dogs over the age of 5 are more prone to injuries.
Obese dogs

• Lack of conditioning coupled with obesity is a common factor in many dogs that have sustained an injury to their ACL.

*Any dog, big or small, young or old, can get an ACL injury. These are just factors that typically result in a higher frequency of ACL injuries

Surgery for a Torn ACL

Do Dogs Need Surgery for a Torn ACL?

In preparing for surgery, we highly recommend a joint supplement like Flexpet. The reason is that it helps promote healthy cartilage growth, which can help recovery, but also because it works as an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. Feel free to bring a bottle to your vet and discuss pre-surgery, as we believe that it is important for your vet to be informed on what your pet may be taking. Flexpet is also all-natural, so it should not interfere with anything else recommended by your vet. Flexpet is also a great supplement to use after surgery is performed on your dog as it will promote healing and can relieve some of the pain the dog may be feeling due to surgery. If Flexpet is used after surgery, it is imperative to carefully watch your dog and limit activity. Often times, a dog will feel much better, and over-exert itself not realizing the need for rest and healing, which still does take time. Certain dog breeds (large dog breeds) One of the most common questions we get regarding a torn ACL is “do dogs need surgery for a torn ACL?”. Unfortunately, the answer is yes. This isn’t something that just heals on its own. If your vet does diagnose a torn ACL, it is very likely that surgery will also be recommended. This is why knowing the difference between a torn ACL and a sprained ACL is imperative.

How much does ACL Surgery Cost?

If you have decided that your dog needs ACL surgery you may be wondering about the price you will be paying. ACL surgery cost has a lot of different factors that goes into it and can range in price depending on the veterinarian you choose, the region you live in and the severity of the issue, meaning the procedure that is recommended by your veterinarian for your dog’s ACL repair. On average though a traditional ACL repair can cost anywhere between $1,000-$2,000. This price can change though if you have pet insurance. For those whom a surgery is cost-prohibitive, a supplement like Flexpet can help ease pain and discomfort in your dog, and is used by some to help as a long-term aid. However, a torn ACL will not heal on its own or with a supplement/medication. Yellow labrador retriever is sleeping with broken leg

Yellow labrador retriever is sleeping with broken leg

Home Remedies for ACL Injuries in Dogs

As discussed, tears need surgery, but sprains can use home remedies for recovery. Different types of home remedies could be as simple as rest and not having the dog participate in activity. This usually works best in small dogs weighing less than 30 pounds. For larger dogs, anti-inflammatory medication (pill or lotion) for six weeks to two months either swallowed or placed on the dog can help. Another initiative one can take is buying their dog an ACL brace. These braces can cost $10 on the cheap side, and up to $700 for more expensive, custom made braces. ACL braces are good choices in home remedies for dogs suffering from ACL injuries, because ACL braces offer therapeutic support and stabilization before and after surgery. It is also useful in cases when surgery is not necessary or feasible. Immobilization of the knee and leg promote reduced pain, inflammation and support during healing. Finally, an ACL sprain home remedy regimen could include natural supplements. It would be best to use supplements that are all natural and include

ingredients such as cetyl myristoleate which promotes pain relief and reduces inflammation, hydrolyzed collagen type 2 which helps renew and maintain connective tissue, finally the supplement should include the ingredient glucosamine sulfate which rebuilds the joint and cartilage. Of course, we recommend Flexpet as the most comprehensive and effective remedy for joint pain. And, in the case of an ACL sprain (which may not require surgery), it can be very effective in relieving pain and getting your dog back on its feet. We also provide a money back guarantee so there's no risk to you. You can find more key information about Flexpet on our home page, or simply contact us with specific questions.

Flexpet after surgery

After a dog undergoes ACL surgery a great option would be for them to start taking Flexpet. Flexpet can help relieve pain, help with inflammation, renew and maintain connective tissue, and will help in rebuilding joints and cartilage. Please be aware though that if you choose to have your pet on Flexpet after surgery make sure to monitor your pet’s activity because many dogs will start to feel relief and push themselves in strenuous activity. Make sure to keep your dog’s activity limited and not allow them to push themselves too hard, causing further damage. Top-Dog-Checkoutv2

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Getting Your Dog Help

Deciding whether your furry friend should receive an ACL surgery is a case by case decision and should decided on after hearing all of your options available after consulting with your veterinarian. An ACL surgery could all depend on whether or not your pup has a tear or a sprain, and knowing the difference and home remedies could save you thousands of dollars. Whether or not your pup is using home remedies to cure its sprained ACL or is recovering from an ACL tear surgery one of the best pieces of advice a dog owner can have is to put their dog on a natural supplement. Flexpet is an all-natural supplement that was specially designed to nourish the joints, support stronger cartilage, help stimulate the lubricating fluid in the joints, and increase total mobility. It is hard to prevent an ACL injury but it is easy to provide your animal with the help they need.

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Call Us Ordering and Customer Service: (M-F 9am-6pm EST): 1-800-505-0575Corporate address Flexcin International, Inc. 909 NE 27th Ln #3 Cape Coral, FL 33909 Mailing Address Flexcin International, Inc. 1030 SE 9th Ave #152605 Cape Coral, FL 33915

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