Dog and Cat Cruciate Ligament Repairs | Macquarie Veterinary Hospital

Cruciate Repairs in Dogs and Cats

We use the latest techniques to diagnose and treat cruciate injuries to get your pet back on their feet!

Cruciate injuries are among the most common orthopedic issues in dogs, and if your pet suddenly starts limping or holding up a back leg, it may be a sign of a cruciate injury. The cruciate ligament in your pet’s knee plays a key role in stabilizing the joint, and when it tears—often due to a sudden twist from running or jumping—it can cause significant pain.

If left untreated, cruciate injuries can lead to further damage in the knee including meniscal tears, kneecap problems, and, in all cases, arthritis. For this reason, prompt veterinary care is essential. Early treatment, including surgery, gives your dog the best chance to make a full recovery, allowing your pet to return to their regular activities.

At Macquarie Veterinary Hospital our head vets Dr. Matt Buchanan-Pascall and Dr Michael Stephen have undergone further training in cruciate repairs. We offer both Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy surgery (TPLOs) and Lateral Sutures (nylon implants) procedures. We will work with you to determine the best approach for your pet based on their unique needs, age, and size, ensuring the best possible outcome.

We’re here to help your dog or cat get back on their feet!

TPLO Cruciate Surgery

$4800

We guarantee surgery within 7 days
Price includes: TPLO surgery and post op radiographs on the day of surgery
PLUS the first 4 post-operaative checks at which time we give a course of zydax injections to promote long term joint health
Please note: any complications experienced will incur additional costs that would be discussed with you at the time.

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Cruciate Surgery Explained

Our experienced surgeons will discuss the options, costs and pro’s and con’s with you. We generally recommend the options of Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomies (TPLO’s) for dogs above 8kg and lateral sutures (nylon implants) for smaller dogs and cats.

Is my dog's breed at risk of cruciate injury?

We know that different breeds have different risk profiles for cruciate injuries. This is mainly based on their anatomy and the angle of the average angle of the joint in each particular breed. Some of the common breeds for cruciate rupture in dogs include:

Large breeds: German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Huskies, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Great Danes, Malamutes, Standard Poodles,
Medium breeds: Cocker Spaniels, Kelpies, Border Collies, Blue Heelers,
Small breeds: Cavoodles, Poodles, French Bulldogs

What causes cruciate disease in dogs?

The cruciate ligament is the main ligament within the stifle (knee) joint of dogs. It’s job is to firmly hold the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone) in place during the knee’s normal range of movement. Cruciate injuries are normally due to a mix of weakness in this cruciate ligament over time that then suddenly gives way, often with a twisting motion like chasing a ball or jumping. The subsequent tear in the ligament can either be a partial or a full tear but either way the damage is irreversible.

We know statistically that 50% of dogs that tear one cruciate ligament will tear the other cruciate ligament within 2 years. For that reason, getting the best possible surgical outcome and monitoring weight closely will give us the best chance for a great outcome long term.

Mandatory pre-operative X-rays

Prior to performing cruciate surgery, we require x-rays of your dog or cat’s knees and hips. We use these x-rays to:

confirm the torn cruciate diagnosis
assess your pet’s anatomy to help guide the appropriate procedure for cruciate repair is taken as it is somewhat dependent on each pet’s individual anatomy
measure up implants prior to surgery
assess the underlying health of the knee and hip joints to give you the most accurate outcome following surgery

X-rays are taken under sedation or anaesthetic and can be performed by us at an additional cost on a day prior to surgery or by a referring veterinarian but are mandatory prior to surgery.

What is the best cruciate surgery to have for dog?

At Macquarie Veterinary Hospital, our experienced surgeons Dr Matt Buchanan-Pascall and Dr Michael Stephen are trained to perform Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomies (TPLO’s) and lateral sutures (nylon implants) in dogs and cats. We select the surgical procedure based on your pet’s anatomy, size and age with the aim to get the best outcome possible for you and your fur child. You’re in good hands!

What are the risks and complications of cruciate surgery?

Every surgical procedure has potential complications and worldwide studies show that there is a 10-20% complication rate in TPLO’s. For this reason we make our selection of which procedure to use based on your particular dog’s anatomy, temperament and age.

The complications range from haemorrhage at the time of surgery, to minor infections at the surgical incision, meniscal injuries following surgery, loosening of the screws, movement of the plates, infection of the implants or fractures of the shin bone from the implants. Although some complications require further intervention and cost, we always work with you to get the best outcome possible for your pet.

What's involved in recovery from cruciate repairs in dogs?

Rest and exercise moderation is a key factor for dogs recovering from cruciate surgery and we will guide you throughout the recovery period.

The first 10-14 days include strict cage rest, where the only time your dog comes out of the pen is to go to the toilet (always on lead so they can’t make sudden running movements). We also ask you to ice the surgical site for the first few days post-operatively and then once the swelling has reduce we ask you to start with passive range of motion exercises.

From the 2-6 week period your dog will still need to be strictly cage-rested, however we now get you taking them on increasingly longer on-lead walks. These will increase by 5-10 minutes each week, so that a couple of months after surgery they should be tolerating 30 minute walks well.

At 8-12 weeks we recommend repeating x-rays of your dog’s knee to ensure healing is on track and so that we can instruct you to continue to increase exercise intensity and frequency with confidence. After 4 months of healing your dog should be ready to run around again and go back to a full and fun life!

What can I do long term to help my dog after surgery?

Once your dog has recovered from cruciate surgery, we recommend a combination of the following things to help get the best long term outcome:

Keep your dog lean – extra weight on your dog not only increases the load on the joints and puts more strain on them, but we also know that fat cells are ‘pro-inflammatory’, meaning they keep the body and joints in a constant state of inflammation. The ideal weight is described as the “ribs (easily) palpable with minimal fat covering. Waist clearly visible when viewed from above. Abdominal tuck evident – particularly when viewed from the side.”
Yearly Pentosan injections – the injections are given under the skin each week for 4 treatments. The injections contain a synthetic medication which draws more water into the joints, effectively thickening the joint fluid to provide a cushioning effect. By reducing the rubbing between the cartilage surfaces, the cycle of inflammation is interrupted which can help with ongoing health and delay the eventual onset of arthritis.
Supplements – Supplements and neutraceutical use in dogs is an area of debate between veterinarians. There is still limited evidence for the use of various supplements, however, we believe that they may indeed play some role in helping our pets. The most heavily studied supplement recently is green-lipped muscle and it comes in two forms, either a lower concentration in a product called 4Cyte or in a stronger concentration in a product called antinol.