Dog ACL Tear - Can A Dog Recover From A Torn ACL
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- Опубліковано 13 тра 2022
- A torn ACL in a dog can be a devastating injury that is difficult to treat, so can a dog recover from a torn ACL? A dog ACL tear may not always require dog knee surgery, but often times it is recommended. ACL tear in dogs is not common, but it's important to know what your treatment options are. When this unfortunate accident occurs, can a canine ACL be treated non-surgically? Or is surgery always necessary.
Watching your pup suffer from a long term injury can be absolutely heart breaking. Some of us know all too well that long-term health problems and wear-and-tear on your dog can be draining physically and emotionally. Anterior cruciate ligament tears in dogs may develop as an injury that worsens over time, a sudden rupture, or a mix of both. Either way, ACL tears impair a dogs ability to walk and may be extremely difficult to treat.
Since humans may have a torn ACL treated surgically or non surgically, you might be wondering if a dog can recover from an ACL tear without a surgical procedure. In certain cases, dogs may be able to recover from a partial ACL tear without surgical intervention. However, several factors come into play such as age, weight, breed, activity level, and genetics. If the tear is complete and the dog can’t avoid surgery, nonsurgical techniques can aid in the recovery process. Let’s explore the various treatment options.
As in humans, ACL tears in dogs may be partial or complete. However, unlike humans, canine ACL injuries are unlikely to be attributed to sudden trauma. The damage mostly occurs over time, starting as a partial tear and eventually becoming complete. Human ACL tears are usually associated with sports. For dogs, physically demanding activities may also play a role in the worsening of ACL injuries. Dogs who are not physically active may also be at risk of developing knee injuries if they are overweight. A dog’s ligaments may become strained and even tear from carrying extra bodyweight, just as in humans.
It’s worth noting that certain breeds including golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers, German Shepherds, and Rottweilers are more likely to develop ACL tears than other breeds. Also, dogs whose parents suffered these injuries are far more likely to experience the same.
So what about the symptoms of an ACL injury? How do you know if your dog is suffering?
Due to the physical discomfort of an ACL tear, dogs with this injury are unlikely to be running or even walking much. In some cases, they may be able to walk but will be less willing to jump up on the couch or climb the stairs. If a dog has both an ACL tear and damage to the meniscus, their legs may make a clicking sound when in motion.
So, how is a dog’s torn ACL treated? The extent of the injury will determine the best course of action, along with your dogs weight and age. There are many treatment options that can decrease pain, increase mobility and prevent further damage. In many cases, surgery will be the first step, followed by various non-surgical methods to encourage healing. A great deal of research is being done to compare non-surgical and invasive procedures in regards to ACL tears. For now, veterinarians generally agree that surgery is effective in helping dogs recover from ACL injuries.
Ok, so after all this, you may be wondering how long recovery will take for a dog with a torn ACL. Well, the duration of recovery depends mostly on treatment. Generally, the best outcomes occur when surgery is chosen and followed by rest, physical therapy and weight loss. Just know that if you’re treating your dog’s torn ACL without surgery, recovery time will be much longer, potentially months. Remember, you Vet will help you decide which treatment option is best for your dog’s injury.
Surprisingly, one of the most frequently asked questions from pet owners is “What happens if I don’t treat my dog’s ACL injury? Will it heal on its own?” Well, the short answer is no. If your dog’s ACL is partially torn, it’s likely that the ligament will tear completely without treatment. This will only lead to greater pain and loss of mobility for your pup. It’s important to visit your vet and have the injury inspected so that the vet can determine the best treatment option for you and your pup.
Another commonly asked question regarding dog ACL tears is, “what if I can’t afford surgery?” Almost all of us are willing to do anything for our dogs and their well being, but unfortunately, expensive veterinary care may interfere. If you’re simply unable to pay for surgery, talk to your vet about non-surgical treatment options. Care for your beloved pet in the best way you’re able to. It’s important to remember that your dog doesn’t know anything about treatment options, and they will love you the same no matter what you choose to do.
Hey everyone, thanks for watching 🙂has your dog ever tore its ACL? What was the recovery process like?
I had a dog (JRT) that got hit by a car and popped out his leg/hip, but no broken bones. We did the closed luxation within 24 hours and popped his leg back in the joint. The doctors put a sling on him for 2 weeks and heavily drugged him to lesson activity. I find injuries incredibly discouraging given that the dogs can't be told to "take it easy" on the bad leg, so chances for complications are high (50+%) and everything is expensive (expect to pay thousands). With my dog, I bumped up the nutrition, with human grade healthy food (liver, sardines, mixed greens, raw goat milk, red meat, collegen peptides, no dogfood garbage). Also doing daily red light therapy, vibration plate (also used on horses), and treadmill for controlled excercise. Still drugging him to keep energy levels low and crate resting most of the day. I'm hoping I will survive this dedication to 8 weeks of therapy....
Dogs do not have ACLs they have CCL s. The CCLs are only part of the rear legs not front as shown
What about spayed females? Can they recover the same without hormones, and is it possible to add hormone replacment like hrt to help recovery
I think spayed/neutered animals are at a disadvantage as they have less hormones for healing.
I have a 9 month old American Akita that have torn ACL in his both back legs and I'm afraid I can't afford the surgery and watching him walking around and limping with pain is breaking my heart, and I'm wondering if he's a 9 month old puppy does he have a chance to recover without surgery? I'm so confused what to do 😔
Hi Anthony, very sorry to hear that :( recovery without surgery is possible, but it's alway best to get an opinion from your veterinarian. They will know what the best course of action is for you and your pup. Best of luck!
Did your dog ever get the surgery?
Sorry, but this has to be a thumbs down for visual misinformation.