Individual care · Veterinary consent
Cruciate ligament injury
Injury to the ligament that stabilises the stifle, the dog’s knee.
What it is
The cranial cruciate ligament is one of the structures holding the stifle — the dog’s knee — stable. It can tear suddenly during activity, but more often it weakens over months and then gives way. Because the joint becomes unstable, this is frequently managed surgically, and your vet will advise on what is right for your dog.
What you might notice
- Sudden lameness on a hind leg, sometimes after a twist or a jump
- Holding the leg up, or toe-touching rather than weight-bearing
- Sitting with one hind leg stuck out to the side rather than tucked
- Stiffness after rest that improves with gentle movement
- Over time, the other hind leg becoming sore too
These are things owners commonly describe. They are not a diagnosis, and several of them overlap with other conditions — only your vet can tell you what is actually going on.
How massage may help
Timing here is led entirely by your vet, particularly after surgery. Once your vet is happy for massage to begin, there is a great deal to work with. A dog protecting one hind leg puts a substantial extra load through the other one, and through the back and shoulders. That opposite limb is doing double duty, often for months. Shanice works with those overloaded muscles so they are not left to cope alone.
Speak to your vet first
If your dog has suddenly become lame on a hind leg, please see your vet before arranging massage.
Talk to Shanice about your dog
A diagnosis is only one part of the story. Two dogs with the same condition can need quite different care, depending on their age, temperament, routine and what they love doing. Share your dog’s veterinary history when you enquire and Shanice will talk through whether massage is appropriate for them.
Treatment complements your dog’s veterinary care, takes place in your own home, and requires signed veterinary consent.
Enquire about a session