Treatment options for torn CCL 18 month old German Shepherd

That has to be so hard trying to make the best decision for you're pet. Trying to keep them under cage rest would involve sedation probably at that age. While not treating may increase the damage and likelihood of arthritis later in life. For a large breed dog, like your German Shepherd, if a complete tear has been diagnosed by your veterinarian, surgical repair is most often then recommended course. Your veterinarian should go over different treatment options, to include anti-inflammatories, cage rest, physiotherapy and possibly a splint. These can sometimes work if its a partial tear, while surgery is typically recommended for complete tears and partial tears as well. Leaving a tear untreated can cause the build up of scar tissue and eventually the joint will become arthritic. I am not a veterinarian, but I had a large Labrador with complete tears in both knees. We did a bilateral TPLO, the recovery was pretty rough, took a solid 8 weeks. We had to towel sling him to get him up and down the stairs. He also got an infection that we had to treat and watch closely to make sure it did not go into the joint or the open bone cut that was made with the surgery. He lived the rest of his life with normal mobility, I did give him joint supplements, but his knees didn't seem to bother him. Treating these injuries can be quite difficult and costly upfront, but in the long run they usually pay off. Surgery can be scary, and a large financial investment. The recovery can be a long 6 to 8 weeks, but definitely using pain and sedation medication as needed as directed helps. I saw it as an investment in my pet, because he had so many years pain free. At such a young age it usually pays off. At the end of the day, you need to do what is right for your family and your pet. Using your veterinarian to help you come to an informed decision. Your veterinary team is an excellent resource, and any treatment options your DVM will have the most complete history of you're pet and you're situation. I hope all the best for you and your pet.

Written by a veterinary technician, not a licensed veterinarian, and without examining your pet. It is general information to help you decide what to do next: not a diagnosis, a treatment plan, or a prescription, and not intended to establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Do not start, stop, or change any medication based on it. Your own veterinarian has examined your pet and knows their history, so ask them before acting on anything here. PawsRx has not checked this credential against a state register.

I'm very sorry to hear that, Kenny. That's a rough one at 18 months. I went through this with my own dog, so here's what I learned, with the caveat that I'm a pet parent, not a vet. Surgery isn't necessarily the only option, but it does have the best track record (especially at 97lbs). The non-surgical route (strict crate rest for 8+ weeks, anti-inflammatories, weight control, then physio/hydrotherapy) works reasonably often for small dogs, but the studies on big dogs show a meaningfully lower success rate and more long-term arthritis than surgery. Braces/custom orthotics exist, but for a dog his size and age they're more of a supportive measure than a fix. Would try to pin down if this is a full or partial tear and if the meniscus is involved. Both of those factors could influence the decision. One more thing nobody told me up front: dogs that tear one CCL have a high chance (commonly quoted around 40–60%) of tearing the other side within a couple of years. Wishing you and your shepherd best of luck and positive thoughts.

Thank you so much for all of the information. It is much appreciated.