An anterior cruciate ligament injury, also known as an ACL injury, is a very debilitating problem for dogs and humans both. The ACL is a ligament that is found in the lower legs and which is crucial to basic motions like walking and running. One of the most problematic parts of this injury is that it will not heal on its own in virtually all cases, and it requires surgical intervention. Because of the debilitating, painful nature of an anterior cruciate ligament injury, and the fact that this injury may affect any breed of dog and animals at any age, it's crucial that you recognize the symptoms of this type of problem early on.
Lameness of the Hind Legs
Anterior cruciate ligament injuries affect your pet's hind legs primarily. You may notice a change in your pet's gait that is a signifier of lameness in one or both of his hind legs. This can be expressed with difficulty in moving or a constant shifting of weight from left to right side while your pet is standing in one place.
Activity Effects
If your pet seems to be favoring one leg slightly as a result of an ACL injury, it is likely that he'll be better able to use that leg to walk and move around if he has had an extended period of rest prior to that. This means that many dogs with ACL injuries will end up seeming lethargic or tired, but in reality it's because resting will help to ease their pain and discomfort. If you pet continues to exercise or move around, his condition is likely to get worse rapidly.
Unusual Posture and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
As a result of an ACL injury, your pet may adopt an abnormal posture. It may appear that he is hunched over or that his back is unusually arched.
Reluctance to Obey Commands
If your pet is trained to sit, stay, come and observe other commands as well, you may find that he becomes very reluctant to do so when he's affected by an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament. He may also be hesitant to get up to go outside to evacuate his bowels and bladder, or to get up and drink water or eat food. Look for changes in your pet's behavior in these respects as a major sign of ACL damage.
Inflammation or Swelling
While an ACL injury typically does not involve many tangible or visible symptoms, one of the major ones is swelling or inflammation around the ligament in question. Look for a difference between your pet's hind legs.
Stiffness and ACL Injuries
While older dogs tend to suffer from some stiffness in the morning or in the cold, dogs with ACL injuries tend to be even more prone to this symptom.
If you notice these or any other symptoms that you think may suggest an injury to your pet's legs, take him to the vet immediately for x-rays, a physical examination, and proper diagnosis.