What is ACL Tears in Dogs?
ACL Tears in dogs is a disease that requires to be carefully observed and dealt with in order to offer your furry friend as many healthful years as possible.
An ACL tear, also known as a CCL tear, is the partial or full tear to dog's cruciate liament, located near the knee. This injury will be extremely painful for you pet and cause immediate lameness in their affected leg.
Here’s everything you have to know about acl tears in dogs – how to prevent your dog from acl tears, the early signs or of acl tears that you should look out for, and what to do if you notice symptoms of acl tears in dogs.
Symptoms of ACL Tears in Dogs
ACL Tears can cause visible changes in your dog’s wellbeing and behaviour. Knowing the symptoms of ACL Tears in dogs is the first step in safeguarding your dog’s wellbeing. If any of these signs apply to your pet, bring your canine to your local vet for a checkup:
- Lameness in Hind Limbs
- Muscle Atrophy
- Reluctance to Walk
- Whimpering
- Toe Touching
Disclaimer: The information presented in this web page is designed to help inform you regarding acl tears. It is not meant to replace the veterinary diagnosis or treatment for acl tears. If you have any questionsor concerns about your pet’s health or possible symptoms, make to contact and consult with your vet right away.
The Main Causes of ACL Tears in Dogs
To recognize and treat acl tears in dogs, you need to know the underlying causes of acl tears in dogs. This can help a pet parent prevent acl tears happening in the first place or again.
The most popular cause of ACL tears in dogs is excessive internal rotation of the tibia when the knee joint is partly bent. This may occur due to trauma or when a dog is running and planting their hind limbs whilst the momentum of their body continues moving forward.
Diagnosing ACL Tears in Dogs
No one knows your pet better than you do and therefore it is important that your pet be checked thoroughly by a veterinarian at least once a year.
The most common way of diagnosing a ACL tear in dogs is by a thorough physical exam and palpation of the knee joint. However, if a dog is particularly uneasy or tense, the vet may be unable to palpate the knee properly and will instead use X-rays to get a better picture of their knee.
Contact your local vet to understand more about the treatments for acl tears in dogs.
Preventing ACL Tears in Dogs
Avoiding acl tears in dogs is always more ideal than treating it, hence let’s explore ways to prevent acl tears in dogs rather than curing it.
To not to look weak or vulnerable to predators, the natural survival impulses make pet dogs conceal diseases. This suggests comprehensive physical examinations by a certified vet are crucial to keep your pets healthy. Generally, blood and urine tests carried out by your vet are required to get the complete picture of your family pet’s health. These preventive checks steps will diagnose any health problems earlier making treatment more effective and less pricey and, more importantly, will help your canine live a longer, healthier life.
One of the most effective ways to prevent dog ACL tears is to provide them with lots of exercise. Oftentimes, a lack of exercise can result in your dog developing loose or weak joints. To best prevent ACL tears in dogs, consistent and frequent exercise is the way to go.
Treatment for ACL Tears in Dogs
Surgery is the most successful and consistent way to treat ACL injuries in dogs. Generally, partial ACL tears will always lead to full ACL tears within a few weeks to months. Hence, early surgical repair is necessary to treat ACL tears and prevent them from getting worst.
Talk to your vet to find out more about the treatments for acl tears in dogs.