Partial Tear

[webfoot1973]

How long can a dog go with a a partial tear in his CCL?

[ezzy333]

Probably till you get it to the vets and have it repaired. Any tear is serious and needs repairing or complete rest if it appears it could heal.

Ezzy

[jlp8cornell]

Completely depends on the dogs, activity level, etc but......the longer you let it go, the greater the chance of joint damage cartilage damage, arthritis). Unless the dog is a tiny/toy couch potato, its not a matter of "will" it happen, its a matter of "when" will it happen.

What's the background of the injury?

[webfoot1973]

Ok, here is my situation. I have a 3.5 year old Griff. About a year and a half ago he slipped playing with some other dogs and ended up limping and holding up his back left leg. Took him to the vet where he said CCL tear. Ok, styarted some research and called around and talked to the NC Ortho group from NC Vet school. They told me to either take my dog there or there were a specialty hospital . Took him a speciality hospital where Dr. Lee told me that it wasnt his knees but a muscle in his back. He sent me to a Pet Rehab vet. The vet told me that it was a muscle in his back and not his knees either. Treatment $1800......

So, my dog runs, jumps, swims, went througha hunting season. When he stands he does favor one leg. Dont know if its out of habit now.... He will ding it every once and a while but is back to normal the next day...


Any ideas???

[jlp8cornell]

I would head to NC and have an orthopedic specialist do an exam. I will say, that is a long time for a partial tear to stay partial on a very active and large dog. Sounds like something else might be going on. A good ortho DVM would be helpful. Maybe see if you can get an appt with ortho and rehab/sports med at the same time. Keep us posted.