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Knee injuries are one of the most common <\/span>reasons that your dog will limp on his back leg, and it may take several months for him to recover. That means you\u2019ll not be able to enjoy his company when you go for your afternoon stroll, and he\u2019ll have to miss out on chasing his favorite ball for a while.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Although knee injuries can occur in any breed, some breeds are more at risk than others. Rottweilers, Newfoundlands, St Bernards and Labrador Retrievers seem to be more prone to hurting their knees. Smaller breeds such as the Bichon Frise and Miniature Fox Terriers can be born with a loose kneecap, which can predispose to joint injury. Lastly, breeds such as Chows who have very straight hind legs may be more likely to injure their knees purely because of their conformation.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In many cases, knee injuries occur while you\u2019re playing with your dog. You throw his ball and he twists to grab it as he runs past, and ouch! He limps back to you on three legs. If he leaps into the air to catch it, he can land awkwardly, and that too is a common cause of injuries to this joint. If your dog is like mine and has dug several short cuts to China in your backyard, he may trip in a hole as he runs, and twist the joint.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s obvious when your dog has hurt his knee, as he is suddenly lame, and won\u2019t walk on the sore back leg. You might not be able to tell which part of his leg is hurting, but your veterinarian will be able to confirm that it is the knee that is sore. It\u2019s important to get that diagnosis quickly, so you can plan the best treatment program for your dog.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There are several options for treating a knee injury in dogs.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 1. Rest. We\u2019re very familiar with the Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation regime when we sprain a joint. However, your dog may not sit back and let you do this to him. Often, the best we can hope for is rest. This means no walks, no chasing balls, and no romping with the other family pets. Ideally, keep your dog confined in a crate as much as possible, and only take him outside on a leash to go to the toilet. If you\u2019re used to spending lots of time walking and playing with your dog, you\u2019ll feel nearly as frustrated as he does.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 2. Pain relief. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as meloxicam will reduce swelling and take away a lot of your dog\u2019s pain. These need to be prescribed by your veterinarian. Be careful: if your dog feels better, he may want to walk and play more than he should, which can make his injury worse. Make sure you follow your vet\u2019s guidelines regarding restricted exercise, even if your dog wants to do more.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 3. Weight loss. Any leg injury will take longer to heal if it has to carry excess weight. If your dog is a little generous around the waistline, it\u2019s time for some tough love. It\u2019s even harder to take weight off your dog when you can\u2019t exercise him. Put him on a strict diet, and don\u2019t give in to those big brown eyes. It really is for his own good.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 4. Physical Therapy. <\/span>Your vet can give you guidelines on how to slow<\/span>l<\/span>y increase your dog\u2019s exercise, and gently bend and stretch his knee, so that it maintains its flexibility and increases its strength. <\/span>Alternatively, ask for a referral to a specialist physical therapist. How you exercise your dog after his knee injury is as important as anything your vet can do, so follow her directions to achieve the best outcome for your dog. <\/span>Underwater treadmills and swimming <\/span>are great for<\/span> exercis<\/span>ing<\/span> his knee joint without <\/span>putting any weight on it<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n