Were you playing throw and fetch with your dog and all of a sudden you saw them start limping to give you the ball? Be prepared as that could be a sign of Canine Cruciate Ligament Disease. This is a common condition usually seen in middle-aged animals or larger breeds.
No need to worry, as the blog will shed light on the necessary details such as the causes and how can you finish the disease.
Understand The Condition
Consider that your dog’s knee is a hinge. Now, within that hinge, there are several crucial ligaments, plus the cruciate ligament. This specific ligament serves the purpose of being a strong rope to maintain the stability of the knee joint. And preventing it from moving in ways it should not be happening as well.
The Causes
Your dog experiences this disease, when an important ligament tears, making the knee joint quite unstable. The instability further causes:
Pain
Once the muscle ruptures, then your dog might go through immense pain. The discomfort can even increase if they put more weight on the particular leg.
Lameness
You might witness your dog, limping, when you call them to play or eat their treats. The limp can also make the muscles stiff, especially after rest.
Swelling
If you look closely at your dog’s knee, then you may notice that its kneed joint has some swelling or appears red.
Difficulty In Getting Up
Your dog will not be able to get up or lie down, the way they used to. Instead the teared ligament will make it difficult for them to stand up or sit.
Muscle Loss
You will be surprised to see muscle loss in the specific leg because of the inability to use their legs.
Ways To Treat The Canine Cruciate Ligament Disease
The good part is that Canine Cruciate Ligament disease can be cured and that too in the following ways:
Manage Weight
You need to manage the weight of your canine. Stop feeding them many times per day as that too causes stress on joints. Hence, change the eating routine.
Plan Light Exercises
To see your dog recover fast, plan light exercises for it. Take them for swimming or short walks on soft ground. In this manner, their muscles will not feel tired.
Give Medicines
You can give some painkillers or anti-inflammatory medicines to your dog. This will help in reducing the discomfort for a little while.
If you think your dog has Canine Cruciate Ligament disease, then reach out to Blue Sky Vet. Their team will help you ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is surgery always necessary for this disease?
It depends on how severe the case is. At times, only medicines and weight management are enough.
Can you prevent your dog from getting this?
Yes, you can prevent your dog from getting this by controlling their food portion. And taking them for gentle exercises.
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