Keep reading for advice on when surgery is necessary for your dog. However, some tips on how to massage a dog with a torn ACL include using a light, firm pressure on the area, using circular, linear, or thrusting motions, and using a dog's tongue or other oral appendage. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. What Is The Dogs ACL Surgery Success Rate? Start by taking your dog to a specialized acupuncturist twice a week for the first few weeks, then once a week for a month or so. The injury can take 6-8 weeks to heal, so keep the brace on as much as possible during this time to prevent re-injury. These materials are also slippery, so they may injure your dog. Dog Advisory Council is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. When To Put A Dog Down With Torn ACL? (Explained) Many dogs enjoy being given massages, especially when their owners treat them like real people who feel pain. When massaging your dog following a cranial cruciate ligament (ACL or CCL) injury it is important not to just focus on the injured knee joint, but the entire body, especially when initiating the massage. Dogs cannot sweat through their hair, so heat will not help them relax and growl less during the massage. Dog ACL Surgery Recovery: Week by Week Timeline - Lick Sleeve When you take the dog outside to go toilet, carry it out to the yard. When we refer to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of a dog, we are really referring to their cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), which serves a purpose comparable to that of the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in people. Dog ACL Surgery Alternatives: How Does a Dog Stifle Brace Work? Some doctors also recommend applying compression garments to reduce blood flow in the area to promote healing. Companies such as OrthoPets make specialized braces that are put on the injured leg to help minimize the pressure on the ACL and restrict movement around it. If they dont, apply direct sunlight or warm compresses to aid in healing. However, some general tips that may help include using a light, firm pressure with short, consistent strokes, and avoiding any sudden or strong movements. Torn ACLs are incredibly common injuries in dogs, with over one million dogs suffering from a torn cranial cruciate ligament each year. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/93\/Care-for-a-Dog-with-a-Torn-ACL-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Care-for-a-Dog-with-a-Torn-ACL-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/93\/Care-for-a-Dog-with-a-Torn-ACL-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid4763716-v4-728px-Care-for-a-Dog-with-a-Torn-ACL-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"