Question

My dog has just been diagnosed with a ruptured cruciate ligament on his hind leg. Who should do the surgery? And what can I expect after the surgery to fix it?

Answer

Ruptured cruciate ligaments will not heal on their own. They will only get worse. If your current veterinarian feels confident completing the surgery, then he or she can do it. Otherwise, you can ask for a referral to a board-certified surgeon to complete the procedure.

This injury is just like what happens to athletes. It makes the knee joint unstable, and it can cause quite a bit of pain.

After the surgery, you need to be ready for extended at-home care. It’s literally just as important as the surgery itself. You’ll need to keep your pet off the stairs for many weeks, and you’ll need to keep your pet calm and under control until the healing is done.

That means not leaving the pet loose in the house or yard unsupervised. Crates and leashes come in very handy. Your doctor will also show you some exercises you can do to get your pet back to normal.

It can be a big deal, but if you’re committed to your pet’s recovery, you can greatly impact the long-term success of the surgery.