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  • Ligament Injuries in Dogs | Animal Wellness Magazine

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    Ligament injuries are among the most common orthopedic problems in dogs, affecting their ability to run, jump, and play. Understanding these injuries can help you recognize the signs early and seek proper treatment.

    What Are Ligaments?

    Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that connect bones to other bones, providing stability to joints. Think of them as strong rubber bands that keep your dog’s joints working properly. When these ligaments become damaged, your dog’s joint stability is compromised, leading to pain and mobility problems.

    Common Types of Ligament Injuries

    The most frequent ligament injury in dogs affects the cruciate ligament in the knee (called the stifle). This injury is similar to an ACL tear in humans. The cranial cruciate ligament is injured more often than the caudal one. Unfortunately, if one knee is affected, there’s a higher chance the other knee may also develop problems later.

    Other ligament injuries can occur throughout your dog’s body, including the hips, ankles, and other joints. These injuries often happen alongside damage to other structures like the meniscus (cartilage cushions in joints).

    Recognizing the Signs

    Watch for these warning signs that may indicate a ligament injury:

    • Limping or favoring one leg
    • Reluctance to move, jump, or climb stairs
    • Swelling around a joint
    • Heat or warmth in the joint area
    • Stiffness, especially after rest
    • Pain when the area is touched
    • Decreased activity level

    Some dogs may show subtle signs initially, like a shorter stride or slight lameness that comes and goes. Border Collies and other active breeds seem to be at higher risk, possibly due to their high activity levels.

    What Causes Ligament Injuries?

    Several factors can contribute to ligament injuries:

    • Sudden trauma from jumping, falling, or quick direction changes
    • Gradual wear and tear from repetitive activities
    • Age-related degeneration as ligaments weaken over time
    • Breed predisposition in certain dog types
    • Weight and body condition affecting joint stress

    Interestingly, some research suggests that early spaying or neutering might influence the risk of cruciate ligament injuries, though this is still being studied.

    Getting a Diagnosis

    If you suspect your dog has a ligament injury, your veterinarian will perform a thorough examination. They’ll manipulate your dog’s joints to check for abnormal movement or pain responses.

    Regular X-rays don’t show ligaments well, but they can reveal other problems. For detailed ligament evaluation, your vet might recommend advanced imaging like ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI. These tests are more expensive but provide excellent information about soft tissue injuries.

    Treatment Options

    Treatment varies depending on the severity and location of the injury. Options may include:

    • Rest and restricted activity to allow healing
    • Physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises
    • Pain management with appropriate medications
    • Surgery for severe tears or unstable joints
    • Alternative therapies like laser treatment or acupuncture

    Recovery can take anywhere from 4-12 weeks or longer, depending on the injury. Following your veterinarian’s rehabilitation plan exactly is crucial for the best outcome.

    Prevention Tips

    While not all ligament injuries can be prevented, you can reduce your dog’s risk:

    • Maintain a healthy weight to reduce joint stress
    • Provide regular, moderate exercise to keep muscles strong
    • Always warm up before intense activity
    • Avoid repetitive high-impact activities on hard surfaces
    • Consider age-appropriate exercise modifications for older dogs

    The Bottom Line

    Ligament injuries are serious but treatable conditions. Early recognition and proper veterinary care can significantly improve your dog’s recovery and quality of life. If you notice any signs of lameness or joint problems, don’t wait – contact your veterinarian promptly.

    Remember, every dog is different, and what works for one may not work for another. Your veterinarian is your best resource for developing an appropriate treatment plan tailored to your dog’s specific needs and lifestyle.


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    Animal Wellness is North America’s top natural health and lifestyle magazine for dogs and cats, with a readership of over one million every year. AW features articles by some of the most renowned experts in the pet industry, with topics ranging from diet and health related issues, to articles on training, fitness and emotional well being.

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    Animal Wellness

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  • What are Orthoses and How They Can Help Your Dog’s Limbs | Animal Wellness Magazine

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    Joint problems can make dogs struggle with mobility. Orthoses—specialized braces designed to support and protect limbs—offer hope and healing. Use of orthosis in dogs improve joint stability, reduce pain, and enhance movement for dogs facing orthopedic challenges. Understanding the role of these devices empowers you to make informed decisions for your dog’s comfort and activity.

    Why Orthoses Matter

    Orthoses provide crucial assistance by stabilizing weak or injured joints. Unlike prosthetics, which replace missing limbs, orthoses support existing limbs, helping dogs regain function and reduce discomfort. They work by aligning joints properly, controlling motion, and preventing worsening of conditions like ligament injuries, hip dysplasia, or arthritis. This support increases blood flow, boosts tissue healing, and raises the pain threshold, enabling dogs to move more freely and confidently.

    Imagine a dog with a painful knee injury. A well-fitted knee brace can reduce joint strain, allowing the dog to walk, run, and play with less pain. This improved mobility not only enhances quality of life but also encourages necessary exercise, which is vital for maintaining healthy muscles and joints.

    Tailored Solutions

    Orthoses come in many forms—soft, flexible sleeves for mild support or rigid braces with mechanical joints for serious instability. Veterinarians and rehabilitation therapists create custom devices using molds or precise measurements to ensure a perfect fit. This customization prevents discomfort, chafing, or pressure sores, which can arise from poorly fitting braces.

    For example, bilateral hip orthoses stabilize hips prone to dislocation, while elbow orthoses support joints weakened by chronic conditions. These devices often use lightweight materials like carbon fiber with comfortable liners and secure fastenings, allowing dogs to stay active without restriction.

    How to Prevent, Treat, and Manage Orthopedic Health

    Prevention starts with maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding slippery surfaces that stress joints. Gentle warm-ups before exercise prepare muscles and joints, reducing injury risk. Nutritional support with balanced diets rich in joint-friendly nutrients complements physical care.

    When orthopedic issues arise, orthoses serve as a non-invasive treatment option alongside physical therapy and controlled exercise. Regular monitoring ensures the device fits well and adapts to changes in condition. In severe cases where surgery isn’t feasible, orthoses can provide critical support, improving comfort and mobility.

    Every step your dog takes with the aid of an orthosis is a step toward a fuller, happier life. These devices transform limitations into possibilities, letting dogs explore, play, and connect with the world around them. By embracing the use of orthosis in dogs as part of comprehensive care, you offer your dog not just support, but renewed freedom and vitality.


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    Animal Wellness is North America’s top natural health and lifestyle magazine for dogs and cats, with a readership of over one million every year. AW features articles by some of the most renowned experts in the pet industry, with topics ranging from diet and health related issues, to articles on training, fitness and emotional well being.

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  • Could CBD Oil Give Your Dog Pain-Free Steps in Osteoarthritis | Animal Wellness Magazine

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    Arthritis can be a distressful condition for dogs making them struggle due to stiff joints and limited movement. You don’t want such conditions to gnaw at priceless canine joy. A natural remedy may have the answer: CBD oil. This plant-derived compound may offer relief by easing pain and inflammation, helping dogs reclaim their mobility and zest for life.

    How CBD Oil Targets Osteoarthritis Pain and Inflammation

    Osteoarthritis inflames joints and wears down cartilage, causing chronic pain and stiffness. CBD interacts with the dog’s endocannabinoid system, a network that regulates pain and inflammation. By modulating this system, CBD reduces inflammatory signals and dulls pain sensations. Recent studies show dogs with osteoarthritis receiving CBD oil experience less discomfort and improved movement. CBD carries few risks of side effects making it a safer option. Always get the individual condition of your dog assessed by a veterinarian.

    Practical Ways to Use CBD Oil for Joint Health

    Not all CBD oils are equal. A broad spectrum CBD oil is a good option because it contains multiple cannabinoids and terpenes, which may work synergistically to enhance benefits. You should always be wary of the THC content in the CBD product you use because it can be toxic to dogs.

    Consistency matters; regular administration over weeks often yields the best results. Always choose products tested for purity and potency, free from harmful additives. Consulting a veterinarian knowledgeable about CBD ensures safe integration with other treatments.

    Holistic Strategies to Complement CBD and Support Mobility

    CBD oil shines as part of a broader approach to managing osteoarthritis. Incorporate these holistic methods:

    • Weight management: Excess weight strains joints, worsening arthritis. Balanced nutrition and portion control ease joint load.

    • Physical therapy: Gentle, controlled exercise like swimming or leash walks strengthens muscles supporting joints.

    • Joint supplements: Glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega-3 fatty acids nourish cartilage and reduce inflammation.

    • Comfortable bedding: Orthopedic beds cushion aching joints and improve rest quality.

    • Environmental adjustments: Ramps, non-slip surfaces, and easy access to favorite spots reduce strain and encourage movement.

    Osteoarthritis need not define a dog’s golden years. CBD oil offers a promising path to reduce pain and inflammation, unlocking better mobility and renewed happiness. Combined with thoughtful lifestyle changes, it empowers dogs to move freely and live fully. Every step regained is a victory worth celebrating.

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  • Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease: Alternative Therapies for Dogs | Animal Wellness Magazine

    Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease: Alternative Therapies for Dogs | Animal Wellness Magazine

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    Adding alternative therapies such as acupuncture, laser therapy, and stem cell therapy to the treatment plan for a dog with cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD) can significantly increase the chances of recovery for dogs suffering from this common and debilitating condition.

     

    Cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD) in dogs is a common and debilitating problem. Surgery alone may not be the best solution. This article explores how an integrative approach that includes alternative therapies, such as acupuncture and stem cell therapy. These therapies can help dogs with CCLD heal and regain mobility.

     

    Understanding Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease (CCLD)

    The cranial cruciate ligament functions as a fibrous band of tissue that restricts excessive movement between the femur and tibia, the two main bones of the knee. This ligament’s primary job is to stabilize the joint. 

     

    Did you know? Cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injury is one of the most common causes of pelvic limb lameness in dogs.

     

    However, even though research has greatly progressed over the past years, the local and systemic mechanisms leading to ligament degeneration and structural failure remain largely unknown. The initial view of traumatic ligament rupture, fostered by “wear and tear”, has been replaced by a new concept of systemic processes linked to progressive degenerative joint disease and ligament failure; thus the term “cranial cruciate ligament disease” was coined and is generally accepted. In cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD), primary osteoarthritis (OA) is a key feature.  

     

    Multimodal approach to Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease (CCLD)

    The progression of secondary OA can be slowed by joint-stabilizing surgery; however, the primary underlying osteoarthritic disease process continues and, in most cases, prevents a full return to integrity. Fortunately, there are also many nonsurgical options that can help dogs with CCLD. These include physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic care, low level laser therapy, and stem cell therapy, among others.

    Managing pain and inflammation should be the first step, and a multimodal approach works best. You can combine many of the modalities mentioned above and develop a specific plan for your individual dog. Most traditional pain relief drugs (i.e. NSAIDS, steroids, gabapentin, etc.) have numerous side effects.

     

    Did you know? Combining alternative therapies with conventional meds may mean your dog will need fewer drugs to address his pain and inflammation.

     

    Acupuncture and chiropractic care   

    Acupuncture and chiropractic treatments restore balance in the body.

    Acupuncture stimulates the nerves and muscles, helping to boost the body’s response to pain and improve blood circulation. 

    Chiropractic can also increase nerve and blood flow to the joints. Regular chiropractic adjustments help reduce pain, restore alignment of the pelvis, and maintain symmetrical loading in the hind end. 

     

    Did you know? When dogs injure one knee, they tend to shift their weight to the opposite side, which can lead to rotation of the lumbar spine and pelvis. This can cause back pain and asymmetrical loading of the knees. 

     

    By improving alignment, chiropractic can ease discomfort and reduce extra wear and tear on an already unhealthy arthritic knee. 

     

    Physical therapy and low level laser therapy 

     

    Photobiomodulation (PBM) induced by laser therapy involves the application of electromagnetic radiation in the near infrared spectrum, and is aimed at stimulating healing or analgesia within the target tissue. Currently, laser therapy is being advocated for a variety of conditions, including musculoskeletal pain, osteoarthritis, joint pain and inflammation, neuropathic pain, otitis, dermatitis, chronic, or non-healing wounds and ulcers.

    Physical therapy significantly helps dogs with CCLD. Some of the objectives of physical therapy are pain management, muscle strengthening, and the correction of proprioceptive deficits. The goal is to limit prolonged disuse of the limb in order to avoid negative effects such as muscle and cartilage atrophy, reduced joint motility, and loss of strength in tendons and ligaments. 

     

    Stem cell therapy 

    Intra-articular injection of mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of CCL in dogs has demonstrated great clinical benefits. This therapy offers systemic and anti-inflammatory potential by decreasing CD8 lymphocytes, c-reactive protein (CRP) and inflammatory cytokines in serum and synovial fluid.

     

    Diet and weight management 

    A significant number of dogs with CCLD are overweight and in a state of inflammation. You can help decrease overall inflammation by managing your dog’s weight with a species-appropriate diet.

     

    Did you know? A raw or gently-cooked diet is ideal, either store-bought or prepared at home under the guidance of a veterinarian well educated in raw feeding.  

     

    Bone broth can be added to the diet on a daily basis. It contains natural collagen that aids in bone and cartilage support. Bone broth can be easily purchased or made at home

    Golden paste is a great super food made by mixing turmeric, coconut oil and black pepper. It offers nutritional support for bone health, joint strength, and flexibility.

    Many alternative modalities and natural treatments effectively help dogs with CCLD heal and regain their quality of life.

     

    Risk factors for Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease (CCLD)

    Risk factors include:

    • Body weight
    • Spay/neuter status
    • Breed
    • Physical activity level
    • Age

     

    Obesity poses a health risk for any dog, but studies show it can quadruple the risk of cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR). Early spaying/neutering (younger than 12 months of age) increases the risk of a dog developing an increased tibial plateau angle and, in general, increases the risk for CCLR by 5% in males and 8% in females.

    Breed-related risk is generally linked to heavy body conformation and large breed dogs (e.g. Boxers, Labrador Retrievers, Rottweilers, St. Bernards). Being sedentary with inconsistent or absent daily exercise/activity is detrimental for dogs suffering from OA. Reports state that the risk of CCLR in agility dogs decreases in those that engage in regular core strengthening exercises, and that compete more frequently, at higher levels, and in more athletically challenging venues. This doesn’t mean that all dogs at risk of CCLD should do agility, but it does mean that a consistent, frequent, low-impact exercise routine is needed to keep their joints healthy.

     

    Natural Pain Control and Anti-Inflammatories for Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease (CCLD)

    Try the following methods for controlling pain and inflammation:

    1. Omega 3s and joint supplements: Daily supplementation (chondroitin, glucosamine, green lipped mussels, colostrum) will help fight inflammation and aid in cell repair. 
    2. Palmitoylethanolamide: PEA is an endogenous fatty acid amide that binds to cells in the body to reduce pain and inflammation. Research has indicated PEA may be beneficial for OA and many other conditions in dogs. 
    3. Natural herbs: Herbs such as Boswellia can be beneficial for controlling pain over the long term.
    4. CBD oil: Products containing CBD can also help with inflammation and pain. 

     

    Be sure to consult with an integrative veterinarian before using any new supplements or herbs. 


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    Miraida Rivera-Viera, DVM 

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