Well for sure, you'll be wanting to take your pup to the vet as soon as possible. If it is a ruptured ACL (and only a vet would be able to determine that), it could be quite painful. This website has a good overview of ACL issues:
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/rupt...ciate_lig.html
Looks like surgery is the best option for larger breeds. I know that the C.A.R.E. Centre in Calgary has a great vet that does the TPLO surgery ($$$).
Quote:
This kind of joint disease is substantially more difficult for a large breed dog to bear though all dogs will ultimately show degenerative changes. Typically, after several weeks from the time of the acute injury, the dog may appear to get better but is not likely to become permanently normal.
- In one study a group of dogs was studied for 6 months after cruciate rupture. At the end of 6 months, 85% of dogs under 30 lbs of body weight had regained near normal or improved function while only 19% of dogs over 30lbs had regained near normal function. Both groups of dogs required at least 4 months to show maximum improvement.
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