Expert: Jana Connell RVT, CVT - 11/20/2010

Question
My dog sustained an ACL tear 3 days ago.  My vet thinks, especially at his age,11, my dog is not the best candidate for surgery.  Besides, he has seen other dogs who have gone through the expensive and extensive surgery without great success.  

My question is about alternative treatments.  The vet prescribed a pain medication, an anti-inflammatory medication and a glucosamine supplement.  I have read about knee braces for dogs, with some positive and others negative.  What is your experience with this and those things that help?

I have reduced my dog's diet to help him lose a little weight and reduce joint pressure.  What else?

Answer
Hi Joel,
I don't personally have any experience with braces for dogs but I know that most vets do not recommend them. Dogs will recover with a limp from an ACL tear but the biggest danger is that the other leg goes out from overuse.

Reducing your dog's weight will dramatically increase his recovery and mobility. Mild exercise such as walking on a lead, will help with his weight loss and strengthen the other leg. He may limp, so if it's really bad don't walk him until he is touching the leg down. That will lessen the strain on the good leg. Swimming is even better as it is a non-weight bearing exercise.

There is a new prescription diet called J/D that helps with joint issues and overall well being for dogs with arthritis etc. from Hill's pet foods. But if he is really overweight then get him on some R/D to help him lose weight faster.

It really works! I had a dog on it for life and she regained her one year old weight as well as having one of the shiniest coats around.

Don't waste your money on braces, but follow your vets advice and get his weight down as well.

Here is an excerpt from Dr.Smith and Foster's site:

In some instances, if the cruciate ligament is only partially torn, the animal is older, has medical conditions which could affect healing, or the owners will not be able to keep the dog quiet for a number of weeks after surgery, medical treatment is used. This basically consists of controlling the dog's activity for 8-12 weeks. Swimming and low-impact exercise (walking) may be done on a controlled basis, as instructed by a veterinarian, to keep up muscle strength. If overweight, the dog should be placed on a reduced-calorie diet. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as carprofen, etodolac, meloxicam, deracoxib, buffered aspirin, or other medications are often used to reduce inflammation in the joint and relieve pain. (Do NOT give your cat aspirin unless prescribed by your veterinarian.) Products containing glucosamine, chondroitin, perna mussel, polysulfated glycosaminoglycans, and other chondroprotective agents are often recommended, as well.

If a dog with a ruptured cruciate is not treated, severe degenerative joint disease (arthritis) usually occurs. In addition, because the dog favors the affected leg, he will generally put more weight on the unaffected leg. It is not unusual for the dog to rupture the anterior cruciate ligament on that leg as well because of the increased stress on the leg.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2084&aid=474

So just remember to restrict his exercise for now until he is touching his toe down, then keep him on the leash for another 4 weeks after that.

While I think this guy gets a bit carried away with his 'vet bashing' (I am not a vet so it doesn't affect me!) but he has some good advice for recovering a dog without surgery.

http://www.tiggerpoz.com/id9.html

So that's it Joel. I hope this helps some. Please let me know how he is doing in a while.