what is ccl injury and how do you avoid it

[Ben2Cold]

I have read a couple of posts about ccl Im going to get a lab and was wondering about info. on this subject.

[toklat]

hope this helps

Cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCL) is the tearing of an important ligament in the stifle joint (knee), resulting in partial or complete joint instability, pain, and lameness. Torn ligaments retract, do not heal, and cannot be repaired completely. If the injury is not treated, damage to connective tissues and degenerative joint disease often results.

[high country]

about the only thing you can do to help the dog is to not let it get fat. labs are big strong dogs and that is a recipie for trouble. take a fat one and it is 20x worse

[bobcat]

I think the best way to avoid it is to keep your dog's weight to a minimum, and to give the dog regular exercise. Pretty basic stuff but that's all it takes is to have an overweight dog that hasn't been run enough before hunting season, and opening day your dog is at great risk for injuries. My Golden Retriever blew out her knee, I believe when she jumped from the tailgate of my brother's truck into snow, in very cold weather, and after having been in the truck for 4 or 5 hours. She was at least 10 pounds overweight. So I really just think it's important to keep them at the lowest weight possible and be careful about letting them jump out of your vehicle unless they are really in tip top shape.

[high country]

labs are what keep the lights on at my wifes clinic.......fat ones especially.