Companion Animals

Companion Dog Cruciate Ligament Surgery Welfare

Welfare considerations around cruciate ligament injury and surgical repair in dogs.

Key Facts

Cruciate ligament rupture is the most common orthopaedic injury in dogs
Large and giant breeds are at highest risk of cruciate injury
Tibial plateau levelling osteotomy is the most widely used surgical repair technique
Rehabilitation physio after surgery significantly improves welfare and outcome
Dogs with untreated cruciate rupture experience chronic lameness and joint deterioration

Welfare Considerations

Cruciate ligament injury causes acute and chronic pain requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment, with physiotherapy-supported surgical repair delivering the best welfare outcomes.

What You Can Do

Seek veterinary advice promptly if your dog is lame after a suspected injury
Invest in post-operative physiotherapy for the best surgical outcomes
Maintain healthy body weight in dogs to reduce cruciate injury risk