While dog ACL (cranial cruciate ligament) surgery is not usually an emergency, it is best performed as soon as possible, ideally within a few weeks to months, to prevent rapid arthritis progression and further joint damage. While some owners wait up to six months, prolonged delays increase risks, though small or less active dogs may manage longer without it.

How long can you wait to do dog ACL surgery?

The sooner surgery is performed after injury the better. Waiting only allows the progression of arthritis. I have seen owners wait six months after the injury before requesting surgery. Many dogs have recovered uneventfully.

Can my dog live without ACL surgery?

A torn ACL requires rest, immobilization, and sometimes surgery. It is entirely possible for a dog to recover from an ACL tear without surgery. Many dogs heal through surgery alternatives like orthopedic dog braces and supplements.

How long is too long to wait for ACL surgery?

That begs the question: when it comes to protecting the status of the medial meniscus, is there an ideal time to have ACL surgery? Other researchers who have looked at this issue have concluded from their studies that reconstruction should take place between three and 12 months after the injury.

What happens if you delay ACL surgery?

reported that a delay of ACL reconstruction of more than 3 months was associated with a greater rate of medial meniscus tears. A delayed ACL reconstruction may also decrease patients' motivation to return to sport, and motivation has been shown to influence the rate of return to preinjury activity levels.

Understanding ACL Surgery Recovery for Your Dog, Marc Smith, DVM, MS

What happens if you don't get ACL surgery right away?

Without surgery, your ACL will remain torn. The knee might heal—the swelling and pain will stop. But a torn anterior cruciate ligament does not reattach or heal itself.

Can a dog live ok with a torn ACL?

The answer to this question is both a yes and a no. Although your dog can live with cruciate ligament damage, its knees are not as healthy as yours. They can worsen over time and cause more health complications to the dog.

What is the average cost of a dog ACL surgery?

Dog ACL (CCL) surgery costs typically range from $1,500 to $7,000+, depending heavily on the surgical method (Lateral Suture is cheaper, while TPLO or TTA are more costly), your dog's size, location, and added expenses like diagnostics, medication, and rehab, with advanced procedures costing $3,000-$6,000+ for better long-term results.
 

What if I don't fix my dog's ACL?

If you don't treat the injury, your dog will likely start to favour the other leg, which can put even more strain on the injured leg and make the pain even worse. Untreated ACL injuries can also cause arthritis to develop in your dog's joints.

Can a dog run with a torn ACL?

Unlike the ACL in people, in dogs, the cruciate ligament is load-bearing because a dog's leg remains bent while they are standing. If your dog's cruciate becomes injured or torn, your dog's knee will become unstable, reducing your pup's ability to run and walk normally and causing pain.

Will a brace help a dog with a torn ACL?

A torn anterior cruciate ligament can severely impact your dog's mobility and quality of life. Fortunately, a dog stifle or knee brace can be an effective solution to support your pet during the healing process.

How long will a dog limp with a torn ACL?

Without surgery, the lameness caused by a partially torn or ruptured ACL will improve or go away completely in many dogs, especially small ones. You can expect this to happen within three to six weeks. That doesn't mean sit around and let your dog suffer for a month and a half. They still need special care from you.

What happens if a dog doesn't get TPLO surgery?

What happens if I don't get my dog TPLO surgery? Because the CCL cannot heal on its own, the knee joint will remain unstable without surgery. The instability results in pain, inflammation, arthritis, and possible meniscal damage. The associated discomfort results in more severe lameness and subsequent muscle atrophy.

How to help a dog with a torn ACL before surgery?

Non-Surgical Treatment for a Dog's Torn ACL:

1. Weight management.
2. Exercise modification.
3. Joint supplements/adjunctive therapies.
4. Pain management with anti-inflammatories and/or pain medications.

What to do if dog surgery is too expensive?

Ways to help cover veterinary expenses

1. Negotiate a payment plan with your veterinarian. ...
2. Get a second opinion. ...
3. Use a veterinarian in a less expensive area or look for a community or shelter clinic in your area that offers discounted services for animals of the public.
4. Check out local veterinary colleges.

Can a vet put your pet down without permission?

It's legal to euthanize a healthy dog in some states, although most veterinarians will refuse due their moral obligation to save animals and their clinic policies. California state laws deem euthanizing a healthy pet illegal, with some exceptions.

Should I put my dog down if I can't afford ACL surgery?

First, DON'T; euthanasia is NOT the answer for this injury. There are several options to help a dog with a torn ACL.

How painful is a torn ACL in a dog?

Most dogs that have ruptured their ACL will be very painful for the first few days and then will seem a little more comfortable after that. This is just like any of us with an injury-- drop a brick on your toe and it hurts a bunch at first and then settles down after that.

What is the success rate of ACL surgery in dogs?

Currently the success rate of either surgery is between 85-90%. This means your pet should get back to normal or near normal activity over a 2-4 month period. There are a small percentage of dogs and cats that do not do well following cruciate ligament injury, no matter how they are treated.

How long is too late for ACL surgery?

Their results showed that there was a significant increase in meniscal tears in those individuals who had undergone surgery greater than 1 year after injury. Using the French Society of Arthroscopy (SFA) system, a higher incidence of knee degeneration was found in those who waited more than 12 months to have surgery.

What are alternatives to ACL surgery?

Whereas Grade 1 and 2 tears usually don't require surgery, surgery is more common for Grade 3 tears. Alternatives to ACL surgery can include physical therapy, using a brace, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, and stem cell therapy.

How urgent is a torn ACL?

All suspected ACL injuries require medical evaluation, but some symptoms need urgent care: Severe pain that doesn't improve with rest or pain relief. Inability to put weight on the injured leg. Visible knee deformity.

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