Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

    rewards header
    Become a member today!
    Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
    Already a member? Sign in
    Petco Pay LogoBecome a credit card member today!

    Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
    when you use Petco Pay!

    APPLY NOW
    Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

What's the best treatment for my dog's cruciate ligament injury?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Female | spayed | 6 years old | 68 lbs

I’m after a 2nd opinion; not sure what to do.My dog is fully insured so not a decision based on cost.She damaged rear left cruciate ligament back in June. Since then her limp vanished only came back recently after intense running. My vet took x-rays (attached). She is a rescue dog,about 6 yrs old.I have also attached pic of her so you get an idea of the type of dog she is. 31kg. What’s best-operate or not? I want to do what’s best for her without undue pain or anxiety. I’m at a loss what to do.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH

Answered By Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner

Published on January 5th, 2018

The answer to your question really comes down to her examination and your goals. It is possible for a cruciate ligament to be partially torn or fully torn. If it is fully torn, the knee is unstable and surgery is the best option to stabilize the knee and slow down the development of arthritis in the joint. If the cruciate ligament is only partially torn, you can see signs like you have in Hambro where she seems pretty normal unless she injures the cruciate ligament again with high activity. For a large dog who is young, partial cruciate ligament injures are often problematic because they inhibit dogs from being able to play normally without being painful, but it sounds like Hambro has done well for 6 months. Another consideration is that if she has a partial tear, she may completely tear the cruciate ligament in the future which will necessitate surgery. There is also a potential complication of cruciate injuries that involve a tear in the meniscus. If that happens, she will be consistently lame and will need surgery. Unfortunately, only you can decide on the right answer for Hambro. Surgery provides the best possibility for return to normal activity without lameness, but certainly isn't without potential risks and complications. I have attached a handout on cruciate ligament injuries below.
https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1975
Finally, if this is a partial cruciate injury and you would like to avoid surgery, I would recommend trying to find a rehabilitation veterinarian to help you with physical therapy exercises to strengthen Hambro. They will also be able to give you a second opinion. Hopefully you can find a vet in the UK at this site.
http://www.caninerehabinstitute.com/Find_A_Therapist.html
http://www.caninerehabinstitute.com/action.lasso
Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Health & Wellness
My dog is limping from a cruciate injury. Can we avoid surgery?
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Brooklyn. I usually discuss surgical repair when I diagnose a dog with a cruciate injury, but it is not my only approach. Conservative care has been more effective in small breed dogs though in my opinion. However, I have had some large breed dogs do well without surgery. I usually start with strict rest for a period of 4-6 weeks depending on the case. This can allow scar tissue to develop in the knee and stabilize the joint. I will also prescribe pain medication as needed as well as prescription joint supplements. If the dog is overweight at all, I will use a veterinary weight loss diet. Any additional weight will be extra stress and strain on that joint. So I want the dog to be as lean as possible. If the dog is comfortable, I will gradually return them to their normal activity level. I also warn owners, if a dog suffers a cruciate injury on one leg then they are likely to suffer the same thing on the other rear leg as it is a degenerative injury. I hope this information helps!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
Dog tore knee ligament: is surgery always required for recovery?
A torn cruciate ligament in the knee is not something you need to rush to surgery for. I'm a rehab veterinarian and I usually recommend rest, anti inflammatory medication, and short leash walks for potty only. If she is improving over the next few weeks then she may recover well without surgery. If there is no improvement or she starts using it, then gets worse again then I do recommend surgery. It is very important to prevent any jumping and no explosive movements. Basically Gumbo needs to be leash walked only for up to three months for her to recover without surgery. Also if you have a veterinary rehab clinic near you taking her for treatment there would assist her recovery without surgery. If you have additional questions please request a consultation with me and I can answer them. This is the most common injury I see in my practice. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Gumbo.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
Is surgery the only fix for my dog's cruciate ligament injury?
I'm sorry Chibby has had problems with his cruciate ligament. Yes, your vet is correct, surgery is the only thing that will fix it. Research has shown that large breed dogs like labs do not respond well to medical management of cruciate problems, and that surgery is the best option for returning them to full function. In large breed dogs, surgery is typically the recommended treatment. Given that you have tried medical management without success, my advice would be to have the surgery done. Good luck, I hope this helps!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
My dog has a wobbly leg. Can a ligament injury heal on its own?
It is difficult to assess without a full history of the type and severity of the injury. The most common type of injury is to the cruciate ligament inside the knee - although this can stabilise quite well with rest, weight management and joint supplements (especially in smaller dogs under 10-15kg), surgery is the recommended route in order to minimise the severity of arthritis which will develop due to the joints being unstable. Some arthritis is inevitable but it should be less severe and develop later in life if the joint is quickly stabilised with surgery
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My small dog limps from an old cruciate tear. Is surgery best?
I think it would be worth a surgical consult if you're able. That doesn't mean you have to do the surgery but can help you make an informed decision. They may also have a physical therapy option that could be helpful with or without surgery.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
Dog knee injury: Can I avoid cruel crate rest or expensive surgery?
I'm sorry for Brody's injury. It sounds like he had ruptured his cranial cruciate ligament. Surgery is the ideal treatment but when that is not possible, crate rest is strongly recommended. Every time Brody steps on that leg he is injuring it further. If he tries to run and jump or play on it he will injure it even more. So 4-8 weeks of cage rest is better than a lifetime of chronic pain and lameness. There are things you can do to try to make it easier on him. Toys or chews that may interest him but that he can't swallow large pieces of. Make sure he can be out with you on a leash when possible instead of a cage. If he is super anxious or fighting the crate you may need to discuss anxiety or sedation medications with your vet. Here's an article that explains CCL injury a little bit more. I would recommend starting Brody on a supplement such as Dasaquin to try to limit arthritis effects in his knees. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1975
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Food & Nutrition
My dog has cruciate damage. What else can I do to avoid surgery?
Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It sounds like you are doing everything you can right now in terms of supplements and joint support which is good. Since it is both her back legs, and she is a large dog, and she is young, getting surgery on at least one leg is a good idea for her quality of life long term. The alternative however is medical management which includes everything you are doing, PLUS weight loss to keep her on the skinny side PLUS getting that muscle mass up. Since her joints are unstable and cannot tolerate a lot of stress, running and walking may cause more damage, therefore swimming is the best option for her. If you can get her muscle mass up with lots of swimming, and keep her weight lean, you might be able to get her joints more support. As mentioned previously, think about getting surgery on at least one leg. Best of luck with Mania!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Related Searches

Dog ToysDog SuppliesDog FoodDog Treats & ChewsDog Braces & SplintsDog Health & WellnessDog Pain Relief & Arthritis MedsDog Pain Medicine & ReliefDog Lift Harnesses & WheelchairsDog First Aid & RecoveryDog Hip & Joint SupplementsDog Collars, Leashes & HarnessesDog Bandages & Wound CareDog Incontinence & Bladder Control MedicineDog Medicine and PrescriptionsDog Recovery Cones & Surgical SuitsDog Vitamins & SupplementsDog Thyroid Medication & Hormone CarePrescription Dog TreatsDog Grass Saver Treats & Biscuits
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Share

Styled arrow button