This week on the Good Dog Pod, Laura Reeves is accompanied by Dr. Stephen Jones, the Assistant Professor of Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery at The Ohio State University, our very own Dr. Judi Stella as well as Good Dog Advisor Susan Patterson.

The episode is specifically focused on ACL tears, which is something a lot of dog owners encounter with their dogs. Dr. Jones gives listeners the run-down of what exactly the ACL is, as well as common ACL-related dog injuries. 

The catch-all phrase for these injuries is an ACL tear, but there are different presentations of that: it can be partial in nature, complete and functional or it can be complete and non-functional. Complete tears lead to a dog limping and being unbalanced. Unlike in humans, where ACL injuries are due to a hyperextension of the knee, the majority of dog-related ACL injuries are a degenerative process. Over time, the ligament begins to break down. 

You may wonder how prevalent ACL tears are in dogs. Certain breeds are more prone to ACL injuries, and within those breeds it is seen is around 5-10% of those breeds. Dr. Jones dives deep into the two main categories of treatment: conservative therapy and surgery. 

Dr. Jones’ top tip to prevent ACL injuries? Keep your dog thin and fit. Head over to the episode to hear why!