Have you noticed your dog limping or one of its hind legs is lame? They may have experienced a rupture or tear in their cruciate ligament. Just like in the case of cat/dog orthopedic surgery, experts at Wisconsin Veterinary Orthopedics in Holmen, WI get a lot of questions about cruciate ligament tear — which is what we are going to cover.
The answer to this question is both a yes and a no. Although your dog can live with cruciate ligament damage, its knees are not as healthy as yours. They can worsen over time and cause more health complications to the dog.
What You Need To Know About Orthopedic Surgery
Are you considering non-surgical options for your pet’s cruciate ligament damage? It may be because of the high cost of dog and cat orthopedic surgery, or you want to make the best out of your dog by learning about the condition. However, when a cruciate ligament is torn, your dog’s knee can be extremely sore and may be unable to bear their weight.
Although a few dogs can recover from cruciate ligament damage by resting, many need medications to get back to their healthy lives. Large dogs usually develop arthritis if the condition is not treated within the shortest time possible.
The conservative treatment options for a cruciate ligament include:
- Chiropractic adjustments
- Physical therapy
- Leg braces
- Weight loss in the case of overweight dogs
- Anti-inflammatory supplements
Symptoms of cruciate ligament tear
The symptoms of cruciate ligament tear vary depending on the level of damage. These symptoms occur quite abruptly, especially after the dog has participated in vigorous activities. They include:
- Slight limping
- Swelling knees
- Stiffness when the dog is getting up
- Walking unusually
- Leg pain, especially back legs
Dog specialists recommend that you contact a vet if you notice your dog limping or suspect it may be having a cruciate ligament injury.
Call Wisconsin Veterinary Orthopedics Today!
Your dog is your source of companionship and love, and if they accidentally have an injury, you need to attend to it with love and compassion. Whenever you notice some difference in your dog’s environment or a consistent limp, it may be due to a cruciate ligament tear.
If you love your pet, you can’t let it suffer when it can get immediate treatment at Wisconsin Veterinary Orthopedics in Holmen, WI. In most cases, early treatment reduces the chances of Dog or cat orthopedic surgery. Contact our experts at (608) 526-2200.