What are the symptoms of cruciate ligament rupture?

Sudden lameness in a hind leg. Difficulty bearing weight on the leg. Swelling of the knee. Muscle wasting of the thigh if it becomes chronic. The dog often sits with the leg stretched out to one side

Is Cruciate ligament rupture contagious?

Cruciate ligament rupture does not spread directly between animals.

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Cruciate ligament rupture

Rupture of a key ligament of the knee (stifle), which destabilises the joint. It is one of the most common orthopaedic injuries in dogs.

Severe🐕 Dogs🐈 Cats

Symptoms to watch for

• Sudden lameness in a hind leg
• Difficulty bearing weight on the leg
• Swelling of the knee
• Muscle wasting of the thigh if it becomes chronic
• The dog often sits with the leg stretched out to one side

Causes

Unlike in people, in dogs it is usually a progressive degeneration of the ligament rather than a single traumatic event. Being overweight is a major risk factor.

Diagnosis

Physical examination (the vet detects the knee instability, the "drawer" sign) plus X-rays.

Treatment

Most cases in medium and large dogs require surgery to stabilise the knee, with a good prognosis. Very small dogs can sometimes be managed without surgery. Rehabilitation follows.

Prevention

Weight control and regular, appropriate exercise (avoiding the sedentary "weekend warrior" that suddenly does a lot of running one day).

When should you see the vet?

See your vet if your dog suddenly goes lame on a hind leg. An untreated rupture leads to arthritis and often affects the other knee too.

Consult a vet

WetAi guides you and takes you to the vet; it does not diagnose.

Notice: this information is for general guidance and educational purposes only. It does NOT replace diagnosis or treatment by a registered veterinary surgeon. If you notice any symptoms, always consult a professional. Wallapets accepts no responsibility for the use of this information without veterinary supervision.