2020 Success Story Patch Chihuahua

This little dude is Patch, a 7-year-old Chihuahua. His mom recently was laid off from work, and at the same time noticed that Patch was favoring his back leg. His mom was hoping Patch had just strained his leg, and after some rest and time would start using his leg again. Unfortunately, Patch seemed to only be getting worse. She knew it was time to get her fur kid into the veterinarian’s office for an examination. At the vet, they discovered Patch has a partially torn cranial cruciate ligament (CCL). 

According to VCA Pet Hospitals, a torn CCL is a very common injury to the stifle (knee) of dogs. This ligament is similar to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in humans. If you’re curious, there are ligaments inside the knee: the cranial cruciate ligament and caudal cruciate ligament. They are called cruciate because they cross over each other inside the middle of the knee.

When the CCL is torn or injured, the shin bone (tibia) slides forward from the thigh bone (femur), which causes most dogs to walk abnormally and experience pain. This instability also damages the cartilage and surrounding bones, which can lead to osteoarthritis. You can read more about this here.

​When the CCL is torn, surgery is recommended as soon as possible to improve joint stabilization and relieve pain. Patch’s mom applied with Fur Kids Foundation. Patch’s mom is currently unable to afford the cost of CCL surgery for her dog, even with Fur Kids Foundation’s emergency veterinary assistance, but she is looking into other options, including Platelet Rich Plasma Treatment to help Patch find comfort while she saves up for his surgery. Be sure to talk with your vet about all your treatment options if you ever go in for a major injury. You may be surprised at what they can do for you. 

About Fur Kids Foundation
Fur Kids Foundation is 100% run by dedicated volunteers who give their time to help the Foundation raise money with events, take applications, and spread the word about the good work the Foundation does in Campbell County, Wyoming. If you would like to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help local families with animals afford emergency veterinary care, please consider making a tax-deductible donation via PayPal or signing up to become a volunteer. Read more Success Stories.