This is the first time I've heard of this in a puppy, so I thought I'd ask.
Is it possible for a 4 month old Dane puppy to blow out her ACL? How is a
definitive diagnosis for this made? X-rays? Manipulation? Combination of
the two?

Suja

This is the first time I've heard of this in a puppy, so I thought I'd
ask.
Is it possible for a 4 month old Dane puppy to blow out her ACL? How is a
definitive diagnosis for this made? X-rays? Manipulation? Combination
of
the two?

That's pretty unusual. Was it caused by injury? It would be diagnosed by
both manipulation and x-ray, but young dogs have so much laxity in their
joints that it would be hard to manipulate and accurately feel for the
"looseness" associated with an ACL tear. But then again, maybe things are
different with dane puppies.

On Oct 31, 12:35 pm, "Suja" wrote:
This is the first time I've heard of this in a puppy, so I thought I'd ask.
Is it possible for a 4 month old Dane puppy to blow out her ACL? How is a
definitive diagnosis for this made? X-rays? Manipulation? Combination of
the two?

Suja

Hello,
Let me say first, that I am not a veterinarian, but have worked in the
veterinary surgery field for quite some time. A four month old Great
Dane would not tear its cruciate. The bones are so soft at that age
that the ligament is actually stronger and therefore what happens is
the piece of bone where the cruciate attaches tears away, causing a
tibial crest avulsion. It is possible with very severe trauma, such
as being hit by a car, to have a completely deranged stifle where
cranial and collateral cruciate ligament damage can occur.
A tibial crest avulsion would be diagnosed with a radiograph and
repaired surgically, especially with a dog the size of a Dane.
For a cruciate ligament rupture to be diagnosed, the animal is usually
sedated. You are correct that it is a combination of radiographs and
physical exam to diagnose a torn ACL. A radiograph is taken to assess
for joint effussion (fluid build up) and analyze the slope of the
tibial plateau (some breeds, especially Rotties, tend to have very
steep slopes that predisposes them to torn ACL's). The physical exam
would include something called a 'Drawer test'. This is where the
veterinarian would determine if the tibia is able to slide forward in
a manner that it would not be able to do were the ACL intact. The vet
will also check for a tibial thrust, which is another indicator of
laxity or looseness. Between the radiographs and physical exam a
veterinarian can determine if the ACL is torn, the only truly
definitive diagnosis is at the time of surgery. Rarely do people
allow for an arthroscopy to evaluate the ligament before having the
repair (TPLO, TTA, or standard repair).
I hope this helps!

wrote in message:

Let me say first, that I am not a veterinarian, but have worked in the
veterinary surgery field for quite some time. A four month old Great
Dane would not tear its cruciate.

Thank you so much for the response. I have passed it along to the owner.
Is it possible for this to happen with just regular puppy play or play
between the pup and an adult Dane? As far as they know, there has been no
trauma at all to the pup, and the X-rays showed inflammation, but not much
else. The vet did a 'drawer test' (not under sedation) and said he could
hear a clicking in her knee. She puts weight on the leg and walks/runs, but
with a limp. The owner also said that she's been on crate rest for the last
week, and seems to have improved noticably.

Suja

On Nov 2, 1:16 pm, "Suja" wrote:
wrote in message:
Let me say first, that I am not a veterinarian, but have worked in the
veterinary surgery field for quite some time. A four month old Great
Dane would not tear its cruciate.

Thank you so much for the response. I have passed it along to the owner.
Is it possible for this to happen with just regular puppy play or play
between the pup and an adult Dane? As far as they know, there has been no
trauma at all to the pup, and the X-rays showed inflammation, but not much
else. The vet did a 'drawer test' (not under sedation) and said he could
hear a clicking in her knee. She puts weight on the leg and walks/runs, but
with a limp. The owner also said that she's been on crate rest for the last
week, and seems to have improved noticably.

Suja

It certainly could happen with rough-housing; especially if she were
rough-housing with a full size Dane. We see it in dogs of all sizes,
but you put a Dane puppy, (which is usually about 80% legs!) into the
mix and it isn't a surprise if they twist their limb in an awkward
fashion. Most of the dogs that have a 'clicking' sound in the knee
have some sort of trauma to the meniscus. Hopefully with her it is
just inflammation or a partial tear that will improve with rest. If
it continues to bother her as she gets older she would be a good
candidate for an arthroscopy to assess the meniscus.
Glad to hear she is improving!
Andi