Cruciate Ligament Injuries in Cats and Treatment

Cranial cruciate ligament rupture or tears are debilitating injuries that can occur in cats. While the condition is common in humans and dogs, it is not common in cats. This is why it is essential to understand how you can treat your cat. Torn ligament injuries can cause severe pain – it requires immediate treatment and care. Not being seen and treated appropriately can lead to permanent joint complications and disability.

You need to know everything about treating a cat, torn cruciate ligament, healing times, and prevention.

What Is the Cruciate Ligament?

The cruciate ligament is a pair of ligaments found in the knee joint, forming an X shape in the hind legs. As there are no interlocking bones within the knee, fibrous bands known as ligaments hold the portion together. Attaching the femur and the tibia to the long bones, this leg section is known as the stifle. The ligament runs from the top of the leg and connects the lower leg bone to the upper leg bone.

The Cruciate ligaments act as a way to stabilize the knee joint in your cat’s hind legs. Cats have two cruciate ligaments – the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) and the Caudal cruciate ligament. The CCL ligament is similar to the ACL found in the human knee joint.

What Causes a Cruciate Ligament Injury?

Cruciate injury in cats is rare compared to dogs. There are, however, times when ligament rupture in cats occurs. As the damage is excruciating, it is essential to understand what causes it and how to prevent it from occurring or reoccurring. Depending on the severity, a cruciate ligament rupture can cause permanent pain in a cat’s knee.

These types of injury to the knee joint occurs most commonly as a result of trauma to the knee. A torn CCL injury can also be caused by several other health complications such as getting hit in an automobile accident, weakened joints, previous injuries, congenital health conditions such as arthritis, and too much weight. Your cat’s overall health and aforementioned medical conditions can also significantly contribute to your feline’s risk of acute cruciate injury.

Risking Injury to Several Ligaments

In cats, a cruciate ligament ruptures occur when it tears or ruptures completely. This injury makes the knee unstable, and the bones in the leg begin to move in an abnormal direction. This instability can cause debilitating pain and stiffness in your cat’s legs. Your cat will most likely struggle to put weight on the leg or walk appropriately without the risk of the legs collapsing. When it comes to cruciate ligament injuries, even a partial or minor tear can be debilitating; not only is it excruciatingly painful if left untreated treated, it can lead to long-term joint complications, lameness, and pain.

The risk of injuring more than one ligament increases if the condition is not treated immediately. As the stifle joint is destabilized during the injury, your pet might shift its weight from the affected joint to the other leg – causing an increased risk of injuring the other CCL. It is essential to understand that once this instability occurs, you should seek veterinary care immediately.

Signs and Symptoms of a Torn Cruciate Ligament

A debilitating injury such as a cruciate rupture immediately presents signs and symptoms. If you have an active cat or a cat that has an underlying joint condition that might result in weakened joints or issues that could increase its chances of a CCL rupture, you should keep your eye out for the following signs and symptoms:

• Lameness – Sudden onset of lameness in one or both of the rear limbs. Also, be on the lookout for gradual lameness in the hind limbs, as this can result from a partial tear.
• Change in behavior – Your feline might display a sudden change in behavior and temperament due to pain and swelling; your once active cat may become lethargic, sleepy, and remain sleeping when once active.
• Pain – Localized pain at the site of the injury.
• Swelling and inflammation of the joints – swollen joints and hind legs.
• Problems bending the knee – Movement and walking may be painful, and a struggle to bend the knee properly.
• Fluid buildup – This can look like fluid building up, causing swelling in the joint and the legs as well as the paws.
• Sounds coming from the joint – a grating sound coming from the joint
• Reduced mobility and lack of movement – When a cruciate injury occurs, your pet won’t want to move around as much. Watch for excessive sleeping and licking of the hind legs.

While there might be other symptoms, these are the most common. If your cat jumps or falls from a height such as a tall window or bookshelf, it is essential to keep an eye on them and make notes of any possible symptoms when they occur and their severity – these notes will help your vet understand the seriousness of the traumatic event.

How Is a Diagnosed Cruciate Ligament Injury in Cats?

Once you understand how a cruciate injury occurs, you can begin understanding the process of diagnosing and treating your pet. Your cat’s veterinarian care might run through several diagnostic methods to establish the severity of damage to the affected limb.

ACL injuries in cats can be diagnosed by several methods:

• X-rays – one of the most common methods used to analyze is an x-ray. This will show whether there is additional fluid built up on the joint as well as any added signs of arthritis and weakening of the joints.
• Vital Signs – A complete nose-to-tail examination is often required.
• Physical palpation of the joint and affected limb. The vet may attempt to pull the lower leg forward, which can be a sign that the cruciate ligament is injured.
• Checking for instability in a cat that is awake.
• Full panel of blood work – Conduct blood work to assess your cat’s overall health and rule out underlying illnesses.
• Sedation – if your cat has very strong leg muscles or displays any signs of aggression, your vet may recommend sedation before a physical examination of the leg or further testing can happen. This is for your cat’s comfort and safety.

Treating Injuries; Cruciate ligaments

Cats with an anterior or cranial cruciate ligament rupture can be treated in a number of different ways. While most vets will recommend a treatment plan that can be followed at home, there are occasions when a torn ACL in your cat might need to be treated with surgery. Your vet may recommend a replacement ligament in cases of severe twisting or ruptures.

Depending on the underlying cause of the cruciate damage – your vet may recommend surgical reattachment of the ligaments. Preventing additional injury to the anterior cruciate ligament or the cranial cruciate ligament is vital to the healing process. It is essential to ensure that the surgical site does not incur additional damage such as scar tissue.

Non-Surgical Treatment and Solutions for CCL Ruptures

There are a few non-surgical methods that your vet may recommend when it comes to treating a cranial cruciate ligament rupture in cats.

• Physical therapy – regular physical therapy can help assist your cat in repairing the joints and ligaments.
• Weight loss – cats that battle with excessive weight can suffer from additional injuries or degenerative joint conditions. Overweight cats will be placed on a weight-restricting diet.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – will manage the pain and inflammation, assisting your cat’s knee problem.
• Cage Rest – Your vet may recommend that your cat be kept in a cage for several weeks with exercise restrictions to stabilize the joint and allow adequate rest.

With proper care, your pet is set to make a speedy recovery and return to normal function in no time. Depending on the severity of the injury, you can expect your pet’s recovery to take up to six weeks.