Dog Torn ACL - Information on Symptoms, Treatment, Surgery Cost and Recovery of Dog Torn ACL
Dog torn ACL is a common condition owing to the many injuries that dogs experience.
Whether it is a large or a small breed dog, any of them could experience this injury. A lot of people feel that dog torn ACL is common among those dogs that receive very little exercise. However, in reality, these injuries are more common among dogs that are active and get lots of exercise. A dog torn ACL could be due to an acute injury or a chronic disintegration of the ligament. In most dogs, chronic injuries are more common than acute ones.
Dog Torn ACL Symptoms
Acute injuries occur due to sudden accidents and trauma to the dog’s leg. The dog torn ACL symptoms for an acute injury are usually more severe than those exhibited by dogs that have chronic injuries.
In the chronic condition, the dog’s injury builds up slowly due to overuse and stress on the ligament. The ligament disintegrates very slowly, and the symptoms could initially be very mild.
Dogs that have received an ACL injury are unable to walk properly and are unable to put any weight on their injured leg. They are unable to sit and stand properly and may refuse to participate in any physical activity. They are visibly in pain and avoid putting weight on the injured limb. There are many different causes for a torn ACL injury. A torn cruciate ligament is the most common cause of a torn ACL ligament.
A common injury among athletes, the cruciate ligament injuries may also occur in dogs.
The cruciate ligaments are located in the knees, and the knees being the most delicate of all joints in the dog’s body are most susceptible to injury. The cruciate ligaments keep the tibia and the femur in place, holding them together and allowing the knee to maintain a proper range of motion.
There is no specific breed that is more prone to developing a dog torn ACL. This injury could happen to any dog, at any age. However large dogs, that are more athletic, usually experience more number of injuries. Even young athletic dogs that receive a lot of exercise and dog training may develop a torn ACL. Older dogs that are heavy or overweight are more likely to receive these injuries. Most young dogs experience acute injuries that cause ACL tear. Older dogs have chronic ACL tears due to years of stress on their joints. Overweight dogs also have partially torn ligaments due to the load borne by their tender joints. Once the ligaments are partially torn, it may take only a slight injury to completely tear the joint apart.
Dog Torn ACL Treatment
Since dog torn ACL is a common problem with dogs, most veterinarians do not have a hard time identifying and diagnosing the condition. There are some simple tests that the vet may take to determine whether the condition being experienced by the dog is in fact an ACL tear. Dog torn ACL treatment is completely based on the severity of the condition and the age of the dog. In most cases, once the dog torn ACL has been identified, the only treatment option is an ACL surgery. The surgery usually has a very high success rate. If your dog has not been limping around a lot before the surgery takes place, there is a high likelihood that the surgery may go very well. There is a dog torn ACL brace, which can only be used as a temporary relief measure. The surgery itself is usually a major one, and it may take a long period of recovery before your dog is finally on its feet.
Dog Torn ACL Surgery Cost and Recovery
If the ACL surgery is not performed on time, the dog may experience permanent damage to the knees. The dog’s leg may not be stable for a long time, and the dog may be permanently lame.
Though the dog torn ACL surgery cost is quite a lot, it can render your dog mobile again. There are some veterinarians who have the requisite skill and interest to do such surgeries. However, it is important to ensure that only a board certified surgeon with experience in these kinds of surgeries should perform them.
The dog torn ACL recovery period is usually rather long. This is because there are a lot of movement restrictions on the animal immediately after the surgery is performed. As a pet owner, you will have to take care of the basic needs of your dog very carefully. For older dogs, the recovery period is usually longer and therefore, more care is needed. If there is lingering pain in the dog’s leg and the dog is still limping after a few months of the surgery, it is probable that the surgery may have not gone as planned. Discuss with your doctor and review the dog’s condition. If there is a follow-up surgery required, you may need to have that done as well.
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