CCL (Cranial Cruciate Ligament) tears and issues are usual in pets and can even seriously impact their health. Like humans, ACL tears often occur when we’re doing routine activities and workouts. There are several reasons canines tear their ACL, but repetitive tension is the common cause.
Many pet parents love throwing tennis balls for their canines to go after since it’s a natural instinct in many canine breeds. However, repetitive motions and sudden changes in direction can trigger injuries in their stifle joints as time passes. Fortunately, this injury might be avoided with the helpful prevention guidelines we’ll discuss as we keep going.
How to Protect Your Dog From CCL Injury
The strains and pressure a pet dog places on their joints in their lifetime can cause wear and tear that will ultimately cause the ligament to snap or give out. However, there are numerous helpful tips pet parents can follow to keep their pets from this injury. Here are four of them.
1. Always feed a balanced diet
Ensure the foods you feed your canine include good amounts of protein, which is crucial and responsible for their hair growth and tissue repair. You might also add healthy oils like Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to their diet, as these can support joint and bone care.
Struggling to find the right balance of diet for your pet’s breed? You might ask the vet for your dog’s tailored diet plans and supplement recommendations. When seeing a vet, you might also take this chance to get pet wellness plans to get discount rates on your dog’s vet care.
Regular wellness checkups, annual blood testing, vaccinations, and parasite prevention are important to ensure your pet’s health is always in good condition. You may check the website of vets near you to learn more about why vaccinations and parasite preventatives are required for pets. Getting a wellness plan for your pet can help you save money from the mentioned routine veterinary care.
2. Exercise daily
You must ensure your pet’s muscles stay flexible and strong to strengthen and support their joint health. Taking your dog for two sets of walks every day is best. Bear in mind that bigger breeds might need more exercise than smaller ones.
Always practice caution and moderation when exercising with your canine to prevent injuries. Should you spot strange movements or fractures in your pet, have them inspected by a vet surgery specialist 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 minimize the risk of this injury to your pet is to be mindful of what you feed them and how much food they eat. The amount of food you’ll provide to your dog will depend on their breed. Larger breeds will need more and the smaller breeds lesser.
4. Avoid “weekend warrior syndrome”
If you didn’t exercise your canine the entire week but then go for runs, strenuous walks, and laborious activities on the weekend, then you might have “weekend warrior syndrome.” Sadly, this habit can often do more harm than good. Your pet must always get the right amount of exercise consistently during weekdays or weekends. Otherwise, their body will be overworked with the extra stress, leading to joint or muscle damage.