Did you know that orthopedic injuries are common for our canine companions? Accidents happen, and all of that running and jumping can eventually take its toll. Knee injuries, like torn cranial cruciate ligaments and luxating patellas, are often seen. We at The Goodland Pet Hospital want to share with you what dog owners should know about knee injuries.
Torn cranial cruciate ligament
Similar to a human’s anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the cranial cruciate ligament holds the bones of the leg into place. After chronic degeneration, the ligament can rupture or tear, causing pain and instability of the knee joint. An animal with a torn cranial cruciate ligament will experience difficulty walking on the affected leg because when she puts weight on it, the bones will slide and give out.
This is the most common orthopedic injury in dogs, and treatment will depend on the size of your pet and her activity level. While some dogs under 15 pounds may heal without surgery, surgical repair is usually required, and we will recommend it as soon as possible to reduce the likelihood of irreversible joint damage and to relieve pain.
Patellar luxation
Patellar luxation is a congenital defect that leads to an abnormal amount of force on the patella (kneecap), which causes it to slide out of place. If your pet’s kneecap slides out of place, she may have difficulty putting weight on the affected leg, and you might see her kicking her leg to the side to snap the kneecap back into place. Pets with this condition usually do not show signs of pain.
If your pet’s injury is mild, the patella may be able to be popped back into place or manually put into the proper position. For more severe cases, surgery is usually required. Toy, small, and bowed-leg breeds are most commonly affected by luxating patellas.
Preventing knee injuries in dogs
While some orthopedic injuries cannot be prevented, there are precautions you can take to decrease your dog’s chances of tearing her cranial cruciate ligament or experiencing a luxating patella:
- Maintain an ideal weight
- Provide supplements, like glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega-3 fatty acids
- Encourage low-impact exercise, like swimming
Does your canine friend appear to have a knee injury? Contact us for help.