Cruciate Ligament

Question
my 3yr old 72lb. lab/boxer mix started limping a month ago as she slipped on our wooden floor. I took her to the vet after 3 days of limping and the vet said she pulled a muscle and was given anti-inflammatory medication. she started walking normal after a week, so I let her run off-leash, and she re-injured the same leg and started limping again. I took her back to the vet last week and the vet told me she suspects a ruptured cruciate ligament and needs surgery.  I want to avoid surgery. is there any alternative to surgery that you can offer?

Answer
Hi Rosalind,
This is a pretty common injury for dogs. You have to get the diagnostics to affirm if indeed it is tear/rupture of a strain and find out what the severity of the tear is. Was an xray done?
A good vet can most often figure it out from "drawer sign" palpation if it is a tear or not.

Strains can sometimes be fixed with physical therapy-aquatherapy, chiropractic sessions for canines and lots of acupuncture.
Make sure it is an acupuncturists and not just a vet that studied 150 hours of acupuncture. The difference is thousands of hours of study of Chinese Medicine and points/meridians/herbs.
An acupuncturist will give chinese herbal formulas appropriate to the diagnosis.
If it is a severe tear- bone spurs, chronic pain and arthritis will most likely set in.
You must also be mindful of the weight/pressure/tork and strain on her other hind leg which will be compensating as well. Limited movement is essential to healing and to save the other leg from overcompensating.

Excellent nutrition such as the recipes found in Pitcairn's Natural Health for Dogs and Cats will help the recovery process. MAgnetic therapy has shown some promise with arthritis and cartilage degeneration so might be considered as part of the healing process whether strain, tear or surgery. Omega 3's and antioxidants especially VItamin C, 1.5 mg of zinc, and proteolytic enzymes, sea cucumber, and Vitamin B are helpful.
Best of luck! I hope it isn't a tear....
Shanti