CCL (Cranial Cruciate Ligament) tears and issues are usual in canines and can even seriously impact their health. Like humans, ACL tears usually happen when we are doing routine activities and workouts. There are several reasons dogs fracture their ACL, but repetitive stress is the common cause.
Many pet owners love throwing tennis balls for their pets to chase after, as it’s a natural reaction in most canine breeds. However, repetitive movements and abrupt changes in direction can cause injuries in their stifle joints as time passes. Thankfully, this injury might be avoided with the helpful prevention guidelines we’ll discuss as we continue.
How to Protect Your Dog From CCL Injury
The strains and pressure a dog places on their joints in their lifetime can cause wear and tear that will eventually cause the ligament to break or give out. However, there are several useful tips pet parents can follow to keep their dogs from this injury. Here are four of them.
1. Always feed a balanced diet
Ensure the foods you feed your canine contain good amounts of protein as this is important and responsible for their hair growth and tissue repair. You might also add healthy oils like Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids in their diet plan, as these can support joint and bone care.
Struggling to find the right balance of diet for your canine’s breed? You may ask the vet for your pet’s tailored suggestions for diets and supplements. When seeing a veterinarian, you may also take this chance to get a wellness plan to get a discount rate on your canine’s veterinary care. You may visit this link to learn more about pet wellness plans.
Routine wellness checkups, cat vaccinations, annual blood testing, and parasite prevention are necessary to ensure your pet’s health is always in good condition. So getting a wellness plan for your pet can help you save money from the mentioned routine vet care.
2. Exercise daily
You should ensure your canine’s muscles remain flexible and strong to reinforce and support their joint health. Taking your pet for two sets of walks per day is great. Remember that bigger breeds may require more exercise than smaller ones.
Always practice moderation and caution when working out with your pet to prevent injuries. Should you notice odd movements or fractures in your dog, have them examined by professionals specializing in surgery for cats for immediate treatment.
3. Maintain a healthy weight
Obese or overweight dogs are at risk of cruciate ligament injuries due to the increased pressure on their bones and joints when moving. The ideal way to decrease the risk of this injury to your pet is to be cautious about what you feed them and how much food they eat. The quantity of food you’ll give your dog will depend on their breed. Larger or bigger breeds will require more and the smaller breeds lesser.
4. Avoid “weekend warrior syndrome”
If you did not exercise your canine the entire week but then go for runs, strenuous walks, and exhausting activities on the weekend, then you might have “weekend warrior syndrome.” Sadly, this habit can sometimes do more danger than good. Your pet should always get the right amount of exercise consistently on weekdays or weekends. Or else, their body will be strained with the extra stress, leading to joint or muscle damage.
