A torn anterior cruciate ligament is a common injury in dogs, which can cause hind-leg lameness.The dog's knee joint can be torn or stretched, causing acute or chronic pain.Your dog can recover from a tornACL with rest and medication.With time to heal, your dog will likely recover, but larger dogs may develop arthritis unless they have surgery.
Step 1: Provide your dog with a bed with food and water.
Pick a location in your home that is safe for your dog.Make sure that your dog is able to spend time with the family and not have to go to the bathroom.Move your dog's things to this place so that it feels at home.It's best to choose a location downstairs if you have a multi-story home.
Step 2: Take your dog out for 6 weeks to allow the injury to heal.
In order for the inflammation around the joint to go down, your dog needs to lie down.Don't let your dog jump up on furniture or use the stairs while you take a break.Carry the dog out to the yard when you take it outside.Keep it on a short lead to stop it from running.The dog's weight will be redistributed onto its legs.The strain on the dog's legs makes it less mobile.Your dog needs to rest.
Step 3: There are ramps you can put up to help your dog get onto furniture.
There is a chance that your dog still wants to climb onto the couch or bed.Lifting the dog onto the furniture is the best way to do it.Provide ramps for the dog to walk up if you don't want it jumping onto the furniture.If you need your dog to get into your car, you can use the ramp.There are ramps available at your local pet store.There are collapsible ramps.
Step 4: Use stair gates to keep your dog out of your home.
A child safety gate is a great option for your dog.To keep your dog out of the way of stairs, use the gates to block them.Make sure the gate is high enough to prevent your dog from jumping over it.Use your judgement to choose the right gate for your dog.
Step 5: Keep your dog off the floor.
A good grip is what your dog needs to walk on.It might re-injure itself or another leg.If the floor is slippery, cover it with non-slip rugs.towels or blankets should not be used to cover up the slippery flooring.The slippery materials may hurt your dog.Early arthritis in the joint can be caused by non-surgical treatment.Smaller dogs may not be alleviated with home treatments and may need surgery.
Step 6: Put your dog on a diet.
Your dog won't need to eat as much because it will be inactive for at least 6 weeks.Extra weight on your dog's knee may prevent it from healing.Dog food can be used for weight loss or maintenance.Your vet can give you a recommendation on the best food for your dog.You can follow the feeding recommendations on the dog food you choose.
Step 7: You can take your dog swimming for exercise.
Since swimming is a non-weight bearing exercise, it won't put too much stress on your dog's joints, muscles, or ligaments.If your dog swims, it will give it a mental simulation.Before you take your dog swimming, talk to your vet.Provide plenty of support for your dog as it swims so that it doesn't overexert itself.Most indoor pools do not allow dogs, so this may not be an option during winter.If you live in an area with warm days during winter, you could take your dog swimming.
Step 8: After 6 weeks, start taking your dog for 5-minute walks twice a day.
Your dog can start exercising its leg without being pushed too far.It's important to keep your dog on a lead so that it doesn't run off and hurt theACL.Extending the length of your walks can be done as your dog's condition improves.Before you start exercising the dog, it's a good idea to check with your vet.
Step 9: A knee brace is used to support a dog's joint.
Wrap a canine knee brace around your dog's leg.To make sure the brace doesn't cut into your dog's skin, put your fingers under it.You may have to change it throughout the day.Make sure your dog is comfortable in the brace.A knee brace can help your dog recover from an injury without surgery, but it isn't always effective.Ask your vet if a knee brace is right for your dog.You can find knee braces for dogs online, but it's best to use a custom knee brace from your vet.
Step 10: To get a diagnosis, take your dog to the vet.
X-rays may be used to determine if your dog has a broken bone.They can rule out other causes of your dog's pain and give you a diagnosis.The vet will recommend treatment for your dog's injury.If your vet wants to examine the injury without causing your dog pain, they may want to suck the dog's blood.
Step 11: Ask your vet if you can take NSAID to relieve your dog's pain.
NSAIDs can be prescribed by your vet to treat your dog's pain.Meloxicam, carprofen, and robenacoxib are commonly prescribed for dogs.At feeding time, give the medication to your dog.Follow the instructions given to you by your vet.Food must be given with NSAID.NSAID's can cause stomach issues in dogs.If you notice any symptoms of illness, contact your vet.Do not give your dog aspirin or NSAID formulated for humans.
Step 12: If surgery is necessary for your dog, talk to your vet.
Some dogs will heal better with surgery than without.Your dog's joints can be damaged by surgery.As the dog gets older, surgery can reduce the risk of injury and arthritis.If your dog's knee is torn completely, it is unlikely to heal.It may need surgery if it's a larger breed as they put more weight on their joints.The joints need more stability because they are larger.An ACL surgery can cost $1,200 on a low end.The surgery can cost as much as $8,000.
Step 13: If your dog isn't being as active as it should be, look at it.
A dog with a tornACL won't run, jump, and climb as much as it normally does because of the pain.It's possible that your dog doesn't want to come up onto the furniture as much or that it is difficult to get into your car.After they're injured, normally active dogs try to be active.You will still see reduced activity.
Step 14: There is a chance that your dog has a problem in its back leg.
Your dog may limp when it walks, or it may put all of its weight on its 3 healthy legs.If this is a sign that something is wrong, you should take your dog to the vet.If your dog is injured, the symptoms of lameness can vary.Your dog may be limping or it may not be able to bear the weight on its leg.There are two symptoms that can indicate an injury to your dog.
Step 15: There is swelling on your dog's knee.
Light to severe swelling around the knee joint is a sign of injury.The amount of swelling depends on how injured the pup is.Other injuries, such as a broken leg, can causeSwelling.Make sure you take your dog to the vet.
Step 16: If your dog puts its legs out to the side when it sits, watch.
A healthy dog has its legs under it.An injured dog will stick out its legs if it is sitting this way.Whenever it wants to lie down, it may flop onto its side.Lying on its side doesn't mean it's hurt.It can be a sign of injury if other symptoms are present.
Step 17: Click inside your dog's knees.
The knee may click if the injury is severe.The bones are grinding.Take your dog to the vet if you hear a clicking.