Ruptured or Torn Cruciate Ligaments

Due to the Chow's straight rear legs, the lack of angulation makes them an easy target for torn cruciate ligaments.

All it takes is a run up the stairs, or banging the knee against a step.

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a tough, fibrous band that connects the shinbone (tibia) to the thighbone (femur). The ACL is the main stabilising ligament of the knee, and its primary function is to prevent front-to-back movement of the knee joint while still allowing the joint to flex and extend.

Typically, there are two different syndromes that can predispose a dog to an ACL rupture.

The first syndrome is seen in the young active dog that ruptures the ligament during strenuous exercise. The dog may be chasing a ball, making quick stops and starts, and suddenly cry in pain and come up acutely lame. For a week or so the dog cannot even place weight on the leg.

The other scenario is the older, overweight dog that ruptures the ligament due to chronic abnormalities in the leg. These animals usually can put a little weight on the bad leg, but sometimes they cannot. This lameness can often go on for extended periods of time before the owner realises that this problem is not going to go away by itself and will require medical attention.

In this category of injury, it is not uncommon at all eventually to have the other leg affected and require medical or surgical attention.

ALL TREATMENT IS VIA YOUR VETERINARY SURGEON