Dog ACL surgery cost in the US runs about $2,846 to $6,350 per knee for TPLO in 2026: across 14 named clinics we reviewed, the median one-knee TPLO package was $4,700, and CareCredit's 2025 cost study puts the national TPLO average at $3,525 for the procedure alone (CareCredit, 2026). Lateral suture repair is published at $1,493 to $4,200 per knee, and the nonprofit Animal Humane Society lists cruciate repair at $757 to $1,231 by weight. Expect a few hundred dollars more for the exam and X-rays, and up to about $1,350 for rehab if it is not bundled.
Surgery or your vet's conservative plan deals with the knee itself. What you control day to day is the rest of the joint picture, which drives future bills: body weight, conditioning, and a steady hip and joint chew routine for the joints carrying extra load, including the other knee and the arthritis that tends to follow.
For the medical side, read our guide to a torn ACL in dogs; for exam fees, see what a vet visit costs. Our best joint supplements for dogs and best CBD for dogs guides cover daily joint care and comfort. This article is about money and decisions.
See a vet promptly if your dog:
- suddenly becomes very lame, cannot bear weight on a back leg, or only toe-touches (VCA)
- has a knee that looks swollen, or a limp that persists (University of Florida)
- has a popping or clicking knee, which can mean a meniscal tear (ACVS)
- starts limping on the other back leg; 40 to 60% of dogs with cruciate disease in one knee develop it in the other (ACVS)
Never give human pain relievers such as ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin or acetaminophen. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that human pain relievers are reported to animal poison control centers daily, most often in dogs. Use only what your vet prescribes.
Dog ACL surgery cost by procedure and dog size
Vets call the ACL the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL). Below are one-knee prices clinics publish themselves, by technique and weight. Inclusions differ, so read the notes.
| Clinic (state) | Lateral suture / other | TPLO, small to medium | TPLO, large | TPLO, giant | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Humane Society (nonprofit) | "Cruciate repair" $757–$1,231 by weight; $568–$923 income-qualified | — | — | — | Technique not stated; aftercare is the owner's |
| Veterinary Surgical Solutions (Austin, TX) | Lateral suture $1,493–$1,581; unlabeled row, likely TTA, $2,671–$2,741 | Under 60 lb $2,846–$2,988 | 61–90 lb $2,956–$3,118; 91–129 lb $3,066–$3,283 | Over 130 lb $3,546–$3,753 | Includes rehab evaluation, 6 rehab sessions, expected post-op exams and X-rays |
| Affordable Veterinary Surgery (NC, mobile) | Lateral suture $2,250; TightRope $2,500 | $3,700 | $3,700 | Over 100 lb $3,950 | Notes extra charges may apply for bloodwork and meds |
| Mission Veterinary (KS) | — | $3,500 | $3,500 | $3,500 | Not size-based; bloodwork, X-rays, ICU included |
| Virginia Tech teaching hospital (VA) | — | $3,300–$4,200 per side, final quote by weight | Undated study consent form | ||
| CVETS (SC) | — | $4,000 | $4,000 | $4,000 + nonstandard implants | Fixed price incl. 2- and 8-week rechecks |
| True Companions (CO, charity) | — | $4,000–$4,200 up to 80 lb | — | Not itemized | |
| Countryside Veterinary Clinic (NY) | Extracapsular, typical invoice $3,000–$4,000 | — | — | — | Incl. bloodwork, hospital stay, meds |
| Warm Springs Pet Hospital (CA) | Lateral suture $4,200; CBLO $5,700 | $5,200 | $5,200 | $5,200 | Follow-up visits extra |
| Oakdale Veterinary Group (CA) | — | $4,450 (under 70 lb) | 70–100 lb quoted after surgery | Over 100 lb $4,450–$5,950 | Priced by plate size; 2024 page |
| SurgiPet (CA) | — | Under 90 lb $4,950 | 90–120 lb $5,350 | Over 120 lb $6,350 | Rechecks for 4 months; PT extra |
| Anicira Encinitas (CA) | — | $5,200 | $5,200 | Over 100 lb $5,500 | Bloodwork $160 extra |
| Anicira Manassas (VA) | — | $4,850–$5,750 | Bloodwork may be required | ||
| Alpine Veterinary Hospital (CA) | — | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Excludes bloodwork, follow-ups |
| Brinker Veterinary Hospital (MI) | — | $4,500–$5,500 by size | Page says totals generally include rechecks; confirm | ||
| TruVet Specialty (CA) | — | $6,000 | $6,000 | $6,000 | Consult $250; rechecks billed separately |
How we got the $4,700 median: we took one TPLO price per clinic (range midpoints, and the 61–90 lb tier in Austin), giving 14 values from $3,037 to $6,000. The middle two are $4,450 and $4,950, so the median is $4,700; the mean is $4,513. Weight surcharges are modest where published, and location moves the price more than size does. CareCredit's state averages run from $2,830 in Mississippi to $6,332 in Hawaii, with California at $4,701 and Texas at $3,126.
What a real ACL bill looks like, line by line
Here is a 70-lb dog having one knee repaired by TPLO, paying separately for anything the surgery package leaves out. Each line comes from a published US price list.
| Line item | Low (source) | High (source) |
|---|---|---|
| General-practice exam | $75.21 (Coronado Pet Hospital, NM) | $110 (The Neighborhood Vet) |
| Sedation for knee exam and X-rays | $69.96 (Petroglyph Animal Hospital, NM; reversal billed separately) | $166.99 incl. reversal (Coronado, NM) |
| Knee radiographs | $241.73 (Coronado, NM) | $350 (The Neighborhood Vet, without sedation) |
| Surgeon consult | $120 (SurgiPet, CA; credited toward surgery) | $250 (TruVet, CA) |
| Pre-anesthetic bloodwork, if not bundled | $0 (bundled at Mission, SurgiPet, Warm Springs) | $160 (Anicira, CA) |
| TPLO surgery package | $2,956 (VSS Austin, 61–90 lb, incl. 6 rehab sessions and post-op X-rays) | $6,000 (TruVet, CA) |
| 8–12-week recheck with sedation and X-rays | $0 (bundled at VSS, AVS, Oakdale, SurgiPet) | $350 (Virginia Tech upper estimate) |
| Rehab | $0 extra (bundled at VSS) | $1,354 (Colorado State: $205 evaluation + $1,029 eight-visit package + 8 × $15 fee) |
| Total | $3,462.90 | $8,740.99 |
Low: 75.21 + 69.96 + 241.73 + 120 + 2,956 = $3,462.90. High: 110 + 166.99 + 350 + 250 + 160 + 6,000 + 350 + 1,354 = $8,740.99. Take-home medication beyond what is bundled, a meniscal procedure if needed, and complications are not priced here because we found no clinic list that prices them. Ask about each one.
What drives the bill up
- What the package leaves out. Mission includes bloodwork, X-rays and ICU care; Alpine excludes bloodwork and follow-ups; TruVet bills rechecks separately.
- Meniscal damage. The Merck Veterinary Manual reports concurrent meniscal damage in 20% to 77% or more of CCL ruptures. Ask whether meniscal treatment is in the estimate.
- Region and setting. West Coast specialty hospitals sit at the top; mobile surgeons and nonprofits sit lower.
- Giant dogs. Weight surcharges add $250 to $1,400 at clinics that publish them, and Oakdale prices by plate size.
- Rehab and rechecks. Bundled at some clinics, about $1,354 extra at others.
TPLO vs TTA vs lateral suture: cost and who each fits
Lateral suture (extracapsular) places a strong suture outside the joint. Published prices run $1,493 to $4,200; ask whether it suits your dog's size and activity. TPLO cuts and rotates the top of the shin bone so the knee no longer depends on the ligament, with packages from $2,846 to $6,350. TTA moves the front of the shin bone forward; the only likely TTA price we found (an unlabeled row on an Austin price sheet) is $2,671 to $2,741, so confirm by phone.
The evidence does not crown a winner. A 2022 review of 72 studies, only 11 of them blinded randomized trials, found TPLO had fewer surgical site infections and TTA had better arthritis scores up to six months, with no difference in late meniscal injury, and concluded that "no method can be clearly preferred" (Wemmers et al., 2022). An earlier systematic review found the strongest evidence for TPLO in returning dogs to normal function, with better intermediate recovery than lateral suture (Bergh et al., 2014).
Is ACL surgery worth it, and can a dog live with a torn ACL?
ACVS reports significant improvement in 85% to 90% of surgical cases, and the University of Florida puts surgical success at about 90%. The best head-to-head data come from a randomized trial of 40 overweight dogs (Wucherer et al., 2013). Both groups got physical therapy, weight loss and anti-inflammatories; one group also had TPLO. Successful outcomes were 67.7%, 92.6% and 75.0% at 12, 24 and 52 weeks after surgery, versus 47.1%, 33.3% and 63.6% without it. Surgery won at every checkpoint, yet almost two-thirds of the non-surgical dogs were doing well by one year.
VCA says dogs under 33 lb have a better chance with conservative care (limited evidence), heavier dogs generally do better with surgery, and every affected knee develops arthritis. A brace can help comfort, but VCA states braces "are not as good as surgery," and a meniscal tear needs surgery. Untreated, a tear usually means ongoing pain, which ACVS says shows up as persistent lameness.
Here is what each path can cost over one to two years, using the figures above.
| Component | Surgery path (TPLO) | Conservative path |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosis: exam + sedation + X-rays (Coronado, NM) | $483.93 | $483.93 |
| Surgeon consult (Mission, KS) | $200 | — |
| TPLO (median of 14 clinics) | $4,700 | — |
| Rehab (Colorado State) | $1,354 (eval + 8 visits + fees) | $2,215 (eval $205 + 14 visits $1,800 + 14 × $15) |
| Recheck X-rays (Virginia Tech midpoint, if not bundled) | $300 | — |
| Custom brace (Virginia Tech) | — | $200–$1,000 |
| Rechecks (4 × $34.38, Coronado) | Usually bundled | $137.52 |
| Subtotal | $7,037.93 | $3,036.45–$3,836.45 |
| "What if" later surgery: 36.4% not successful at 52 weeks × ($200 + $4,700) | — | +$1,783.60 → $4,820.05–$5,620.05 |
Math: 483.93 + 200 + 4,700 + 1,354 + 300 = $7,037.93; 483.93 + 2,215 + 137.52 + 200 (or 1,000) = $3,036.45 (or $3,836.45); 0.364 × 4,900 = $1,783.60. Conservative care still comes out $1,417.88 to $2,217.88 cheaper on paper (7,037.93 − 5,620.05 and 7,037.93 − 4,820.05), but the trial studied overweight dogs and did not measure conversion to surgery, so the last row is our assumption, not a study finding. Pain medication is unpriced, and the second-knee risk applies to both paths.
Protect the joints that are doing double duty
During recovery, the other knee and the hips carry more weight. Our Hip & Joint Chews ($53.99) combine 17 joint-support ingredients in a soft chew, and our Liquid Collagen for Dogs ($31.99) mixes into food for dogs that are picky after surgery. They support everyday joint health alongside, never instead of, your vet's plan. Free worldwide shipping.
The second-knee math nobody shows you
In a study of 380 dogs with a single rupture, 204 (54%) ruptured the other knee during follow-up, at a median of about 2.6 years (Muir et al., 2011). ACVS gives a 40% to 60% range. Multiply the probability by the one-knee price and you get the expected extra cost.
| Probability (source) | $2,846 (VSS Austin, under 60 lb) | $3,500 (Mission, KS) | $4,700 (clinic median) | $6,000 (TruVet, CA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40% (ACVS low end) | $1,138 | $1,400 | $1,880 | $2,400 |
| 54% (Muir 2011) | $1,537 | $1,890 | $2,538 | $3,240 |
| 60% (ACVS high end) | $1,708 | $2,100 | $2,820 | $3,600 |
Worked example: 0.54 × $4,700 = $2,538, so a $4,700 knee carries an expected $7,238 in knee-surgery spending before rehab. If both knees are already unstable, ask whether single-session bilateral surgery is an option. It is the surgeon's call, but published prices show real savings:
| Clinic | One knee | Both, one session | Two separate knees | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mission (KS) | $3,500 | $6,000 | $7,000 | $1,000 (14.3%) |
| SurgiPet (CA) | $4,950 | $8,150 | $9,900 | $1,750 (17.7%) |
| Anicira Encinitas (CA) | $5,200 | $7,500 | $10,400 | $2,900 (27.9%) |
| TruVet (CA, sequential) | $6,000 | $9,000 | $12,000 | $3,000 (25.0%) |
Does pet insurance cover ACL surgery?
Usually yes, if the policy started before any knee signs and you cleared the orthopedic waiting period. The catch: many policies view cruciate disease as bilateral, so a diagnosis before coverage or during a waiting period can exclude both knees.
| Insurer | Rule that matters for ACL | Published claim example |
|---|---|---|
| Embrace | Cruciate disease showing up in the first 180 days is excluded for life; some states allow an orthopedic exam to cut this to 14 days | — |
| Trupanion | Cruciate problems in the same or opposite leg in the 18 months before the policy start are pre-existing | Cruciate tear, surgery and medication: $5,439 |
| Lemonade | 30-day orthopedic waiting period that includes cruciate injuries | — |
| MetLife | 0-day accident and 14-day illness waits; the other knee is typically excluded once the first is diagnosed | Bernese in Colorado: bill over $1,900, about $1,800 reimbursed |
| Pumpkin | — | German Shepherd TPLO: $5,839 bill, $5,255 reimbursed (90%) |
Check: 0.90 × $5,839 = $5,255.10. If your dog is young, heavy or a high-risk breed and still sound, buying coverage now, before any limp, is the only way a policy can apply to a future knee problem.
What if you can't afford ACL surgery?
- Get a written, itemized estimate. Ask about bloodwork, X-rays, meniscal treatment, meds, rechecks and rehab, and compare line items, not totals.
- Price a second technique. Ask whether lateral suture suits your dog; a North Carolina mobile surgeon lists it at $2,250 versus $3,700 for TPLO.
- Look at nonprofit and lower-cost programs. Animal Humane Society lists income-qualified cruciate repair at $567.79 to $922.95; eligibility rules apply.
- Call a veterinary teaching hospital. Virginia Tech's estimate was $3,300 to $4,200 per side, and some schools run clinical trials.
- Finance it. CareCredit is a health credit card many clinics accept; read the promotional terms.
- Stage the costs. Diagnosis (about $484 in our example) can come first; SurgiPet credits its $120 consult toward surgery within six weeks.
- If surgery must wait, ask for a structured conservative plan with weight loss, strict rest and rehab, not just waiting.
For other cost-squeeze situations, our guide to handling a dog ear infection when you can't afford the vet shares the same cost-cutting playbook, and our IVDD surgery cost guide covers another big orthopedic bill.
Recovery and rehab costs
VCA calls for activity restriction for at least 6 to 8 weeks, and the University of Florida advises at least three months of restricted exercise with suture removal at about 2 weeks and rechecks at 4 to 6 weeks and 3 months. Colorado State's rehab service lists a 90-minute evaluation at $205, single sessions at $195 with a therapist or $163 with a technician, plus a $15 cleaning fee per visit, and orthopedic packages of $294 (2 visits), $549 (4 visits) and $1,029 (8 visits). In Austin, six sessions come bundled with TPLO. See our hydrotherapy guide.
Your vet decides on NSAIDs or gabapentin; never cut back a prescription on your own. For background reading, see collagen supplements after surgery and our comparison of CBD versus gabapentin.
How to lower or space out future joint costs
None of this repairs a torn ligament or replaces surgery. It is about the bills that come after: the other knee, the hips, and arthritis.
- Weight first. In a UK practice study, obesity was linked to roughly four times the odds of cruciate rupture (Adams et al., 2011). In a lifetime study of 48 Labradors, dogs fed 25% less developed hip arthritis later, at a median of 12 versus 6 years (Smith et al., 2006), and lived longer (Kealy et al., 2002). Ask your vet for a target weight; our dog food for joint health guide helps with the bowl.
- Steady conditioning. Daily leash walks beat weekend sprints.
- Ramps and rugs. Cut jumping in and out of cars and add traction on slick floors.
- Watch for early arthritis. Learn the signs of arthritis in dogs, the arthritis medicine options your vet may use, and home care for arthritis. New limping? Our dog limping guide explains when to book a visit.
- A consistent joint-support routine. VCA notes that "weight control and nutritional supplements may help delay the onset of arthritis." Large breeds carry the highest risk; see our large-breed joint guide.
Why Pure Majesty Pets Hip & Joint Chews for post-ACL joint care
After a cruciate diagnosis, the goal is keeping the repaired knee, the other knee and the hips comfortable for years. Our Hip & Joint Chews ($53.99) are a cold-extruded soft chew with 17 actives: glucosamine HCl, MSM, chondroitin sulfate, green-lipped mussel, turmeric extract, pumpkin powder, boswellia serrata, manganese gluconate, eggshell membrane, undenatured type II collagen (UC-II), quercetin, ginger extract, blueberry extract, hyaluronic acid, grape seed extract, black pepper and probiotics.
To be clear: our chew has not been studied in dogs after ACL surgery, and it will not repair a ligament, shorten recovery, or lower the odds of the other knee tearing. Some ingredients have their own research in arthritic dogs, summarized in our green-lipped mussel review; those are studies of the ingredient, not of our product. Use it as part of the joint plan your vet sets.
- Liquid Collagen for Dogs ($31.99): about 462 mg hydrolyzed type I and III collagen peptides plus about 40 mg undenatured type II collagen per 2 mL reference serving (formulation estimates, not assay results), with salmon oil and hyaluronic acid.
- CBD Oil for Dogs ($31.99): 30 mg CBD, 25 mg CBDA and 5 mg CBG per mL. Ask your vet first, especially if your dog takes NSAIDs or gabapentin. It never replaces prescribed pain relief.
- Liquid Glucosamine for Dogs ($31.99): for dogs that refuse chews.
Every product is made in North America in a GMP facility, with a certificate of analysis for each batch, and ships with free worldwide shipping.
Build your dog's joint routine
- Hip & Joint Chews for Dogs, $53.99
- Liquid Collagen for Dogs, $31.99
- Liquid Glucosamine for Dogs, $31.99
- CBD Oil for Dogs, $31.99 (check with your vet first)
Browse the full dog joint and hip supplements collection. Free worldwide shipping.
More vet cost guides
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Frequently asked questions
How much is TPLO surgery?
Across 14 named US clinics we reviewed in 2026, one-knee TPLO packages ran from $2,846 (Austin, Texas, dogs under 60 lb) to $6,350 (San Diego area, dogs over 120 lb), with a median of about $4,700. CareCredit's 2025 cost study gives a national average of $3,525 for the procedure alone. Ask what the package includes.
Is ACL surgery worth it for a dog?
For many dogs, yes. ACVS reports significant improvement in 85% to 90% of surgical cases. In a randomized trial of 40 overweight dogs, 75.0% of the TPLO group had a successful outcome at 52 weeks versus 63.6% of dogs managed without surgery. Your vet's exam decides what fits your dog.
Is it painful for a dog to live with a torn ACL?
Usually, yes. ACVS notes that persistent lameness is a sign of pain even when a dog does not whine, and the unstable knee develops arthritis. Ask your vet for a pain plan, and never give human pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
What if I can't afford ACL surgery for my dog?
Get an itemized estimate, price a lateral suture or mobile-surgeon option, check nonprofits and veterinary teaching hospitals, and ask about financing such as CareCredit. If surgery must wait, ask for a structured conservative plan.
Can a dog recover from a torn ACL without surgery?
Some can. VCA says dogs under 33 lb have a better chance with conservative care, though the evidence is limited. In the 2013 Wucherer trial, almost two-thirds of overweight dogs managed without surgery had a successful outcome at 52 weeks, but the surgery group did better at every checkpoint. A meniscal tear generally needs surgery.
Does pet insurance cover ACL surgery?
Often, if the policy started before any knee signs and the waiting period has passed. Embrace excludes cruciate disease appearing in the first 180 days unless an orthopedic exam shortens it where allowed, Lemonade uses a 30-day orthopedic wait, and Trupanion counts cruciate problems in either leg in the 18 months before coverage as pre-existing. The other knee may be excluded too.
How much does lateral suture surgery cost for a dog?
Published lateral suture prices we found range from $1,493 to $1,581 in Austin, Texas, to $2,250 from a North Carolina mobile surgeon and $4,200 at a California hospital. A New York clinic quotes $3,000 to $4,000 for a typical all-in extracapsular invoice.
Sources
- CareCredit Well U, "Dog ACL Surgery Cost" (2025 Synchrony Average Procedural Cost Study), Apr 24, 2026. carecredit.com
- Mission Veterinary Emergency & Specialty, TPLO pricing, accessed Oct 2026. missionveterinaryspecialists.com
- Affordable Veterinary Surgery, Surgery Costs, Oct 20, 2026. affordableveterinarysurgery.com
- Veterinary Surgical Solutions (Austin, TX), Surgery Price Sheet, accessed Oct 2026. vssaustin.com
- SurgiPet Surgery Center for Pets, TPLO Surgery Cost in San Diego, Sept 2026. surgipet.com
- Oakdale Veterinary Group, TPLO FAQ: Cost, modified Jul 9, 2024. oakdaleveterinarygroup.com
- CVETS, TPLO Surgery, Aug 25, 2026. cvets.net
- True Companions Animal Shelter & Clinic, About the Clinic, accessed Oct 2026. truecompanions.org
- Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, TPLO client consent form (undated). vetmed.vt.edu
- Anicira Veterinary Center (Manassas, VA), Orthopedic Surgery. anicira.org
- Anicira Encinitas Veterinary Center, Orthopedic Surgery and TPLO pricing. anicira.org; anicira.org/lp-san-diego-tplo
- Warm Springs Pet Hospital (CA), Prices and TPLO pages, warmspringspet.com/prices-1 and warmspringspet.com/tplo
- TruVet Specialty & Emergency Hospital, Pet TPLO Surgery, Jul 17, 2026. truvetspecialty.com
- Alpine Veterinary Hospital, TPLO Surgery, Dec 20, 2025. alpinevethosp.com
- Brinker Veterinary Hospital, TPLO Surgery Cost for Dogs, Aug 21, 2026. brinkervet.com
- Countryside Veterinary Clinic, ACL Knee Surgery. cvcpets.com
- Animal Humane Society, Dental and Specialty Services. animalhumanesociety.org
- Coronado Pet Hospital, Price List, accessed Oct 2026. coronadopethospital.com
- Petroglyph Animal Hospital, Price List, Apr 20, 2026. pahvets.com
- The Neighborhood Vet, Pricing, Jan 15, 2026. theneighborhoodvet.org
- Colorado State University Veterinary Health, Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy, Oct 16, 2026. csuveterinaryhealth.org
- Virginia Tech, Rehab clinics news, Jan 4, 2024. vetmed.vt.edu
- Embrace Pet Insurance, Orthopedic waiting periods; What is the waiting period for orthopedic conditions? embracepetinsurance.com; embracepetinsurance.com/help
- Trupanion, Cruciate surgeries FAQ; Actual claims. trupanion.com; trupanion.com/actual-claims
- Lemonade, Pet insurance waiting periods. lemonade.com
- MetLife Pet Insurance, Dog ACL surgery cost, Aug 21, 2026; Does pet insurance cover surgery, Sep 9, 2026. metlifepetinsurance.com; metlifepetinsurance.com/surgery
- Pumpkin, Lola the German Shepherd's CCL tear, updated Oct 28, 2025. pumpkin.care
- Spot Pet Insurance, Does Pet Insurance Cover Pre-Existing Conditions? (bilateral knee and ligament exclusions). spotpet.com
- Muir P, et al. Contralateral cruciate survival in dogs with unilateral non-contact cranial cruciate ligament rupture. PLoS One. 2011;6(10):e25331. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0025331
- Wucherer KL, et al. Short-term and long-term outcomes for overweight dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture treated surgically or nonsurgically. JAVMA. 2013;242(10):1364-1372. doi.org/10.2460/javma.242.10.1364
- Wemmers AC, et al. Surgical treatment of cranial cruciate ligament disease in dogs using TPLO or TTA. Front Vet Sci. 2022;9:1004637. frontiersin.org
- Bergh MS, et al. Systematic review of surgical treatments for cranial cruciate ligament disease in dogs. JAAHA. 2014;50(5):315-321. doi.org/10.5326/JAAHA-MS-6356
- Adams P, et al. Influence of signalment on developing cranial cruciate rupture in dogs in the UK. J Small Anim Pract. 2011;52(7):347-352. doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-5827.2011.01073.x
- Smith GK, et al. Lifelong diet restriction and radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis of the hip joint in dogs. JAVMA. 2006;229(5):690-693. doi.org/10.2460/javma.229.5.690
- Kealy RD, et al. Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs. JAVMA. 2002;220(9):1315-1320. doi.org/10.2460/javma.2002.220.1315
- American College of Veterinary Surgeons, Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease, Jul 22, 2026. acvs.org
- VCA Animal Hospitals, Cruciate Ligament Rupture in Dogs, Aug 18, 2026. vcahospitals.com
- VCA Animal Hospitals, Orthotic devices for dogs (braces), Dec 13, 2023. vcahospitals.com
- Merck Veterinary Manual, Joint Trauma in Dogs and Cats, reviewed Dec 2025. merckvetmanual.com
- Merck Veterinary Manual, Toxicoses From Human Analgesics in Animals, May 2025. merckvetmanual.com
- University of Florida Small Animal Hospital, Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture. ufl.edu
This article is general information and does not replace an exam by your veterinarian. Prices vary by region, dog size, clinic and year; figures are the published prices on each source's page as of the dates listed (accessed October 2026). Ask your clinic for a current written estimate. Our supplements do not replace surgery, rehab or prescribed medication.