Knee surgery can help your limping dog. Dogs are very active animals; however, this can lead to injuries to various parts of their bodies, including their knees. If your dog develops a limp, it is very important to have him checked by the veterinarian as soon as possible to prevent any further injury or damage. Failure to do so may become an expensive mistake.
Dog Knee Structure
Two of a dog's knees bend backward and two bend forward. This allows a dog to switch directions quickly, but this can produce stress on the knee joints. Some breeds of dogs are prone to knee injuries. Others may have been born with a birth defect concerning the knees.
When Surgery Is Needed
If a dog has injured its knees, rest may be the only thing necessary for the injury to heal. However, sometimes a dog may have torn a ligament, muscle or cartilage, or has damaged the structure of the knee itself. For any of these vet-required injuries, the only alternative may be surgery. It is important to get a least two veterinarians' opinions before allowing surgery to proceed. Asking questions about the procedure and expected outcome is important, as well as asking about the surgeon's experience and success rate.