Cruciate Ligament Dog, ACL Dog Surgery & Cost

Compare ACL Surgery Options for Dogs at Melbourne Pet Surgery

Not every dog needs the same surgery. The right procedure depends on your dog's size, weight, activity level and the severity of the cruciate ligament tear. The table below gives you a side-by-side look at all four techniques we offer at MPS. If you are still unsure after reading it, book a consult and the MPS surgical team will walk you through the options in person.

Feature

Core concept

Bone cutting?

Implants used

Best suited for

Stability

Recovery type

Post-op restrictions

Invasiveness

Risk of complications

Long-term outcomes

Key advantage

Key limitation

Surgery Price

TPLO

Changes tibial angle to stabilise knee

Yes

Plate & screws

Medium–large active dogs

Excellent

Slower initial

Strict rest 8–10 weeks

High

Low–moderate

Strong evidence

Best long-term durability

More invasive

$3,450 - $4,500

CBLO

Corrects bone geometry differently

Yes

Plate & screws

Dogs with steep tibial slope

Excellent

Similar to TPLO

High

Low–moderate

Comparable to TPLO

Better for extreme angles

Less widely available

$3,450 - $4,500

MMP

Advances tibial attachment

Yes (less invasive)

Titanium wedge/cage

Medium–large dogs

Very good

Faster recovery

Controlled walking early

Moderate

Good short-term

Less invasive than TPLO

Harder to revise

$3,400 - $4,100

Zlig

Synthetic ligament replacement

Synthetic ligament

Small–medium dogs

Moderate-good

Fastest recovery

Walking immediately

Low

Low fracture risk

Promising but newer

No bone cutting

Not ideal for large active dogs

$3,600 - $4,200

All procedures are performed by the MPS surgical team at our Dandenong, Melbourne clinic. Prices are a guide and the final cost will depend on your dog's weight and the specifics of their case.

What is an ACL or Cruciate Ligament Injury in Dogs?

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) known in veterinary medicine as the cranial cruciate ligament or CCL, is the main stabilising ligament inside a dog's knee, which vets call the stifle joint. It connects the femur (the thigh bone) to the tibia (the shin bone) and stops the knee from rotating or sliding when your dog is moving around.

A cruciate ligament injury in dogs can range from a partial tear, which causes an on-and-off limp, all the way to a complete rupture that leaves a dog unable to put any weight on the leg at all. Unlike humans, most torn ACL injuries in dogs do not happen from a single dramatic moment. They tend to build up over time through repetitive twisting movements, and excess body weight speeds the process up considerably.

If a torn ACL is left untreated, the knee becomes unstable and the joint begins to break down. Cartilage wears away, bone spurs form and painful arthritis sets in and this can start happening within just one to three weeks of the injury. That is why getting your dog seen quickly makes such a difference to the long-term outcome.

At Melbourne Pet Surgery, our surgical team can diagnose an ACL or cruciate ligament injury through a straightforward physical examination in the vast majority of cases. We do not routinely use x-rays, which keeps the cost down and avoids unnecessary stress for your dog.

Cranial cruciate ligament rupture in a dog's stifle joint

Signs Your Dog May Have a Torn ACL or Cruciate Ligament

Dogs are good at hiding pain, so it is not always obvious when something is wrong with their knee. The signs below are the ones we see most often when a dog comes in with an ACL or cruciate ligament injury. If your dog is showing any of them, it is worth getting them checked sooner rather than later.

Sudden lameness on a back leg, or completely refusing to put weight on it
A limp that seems to ease up with rest but comes back once they start moving again
Reluctance to jump up, use stairs or get up from lying down
Visible swelling on the inside of the knee
Sitting in an unusual position with one back leg sticking out to the side, sometimes called a puppy sit
The muscle in the affected leg looking smaller than the other side over time
A clicking sound coming from the knee when your dog walks

Not sure whether it is a cruciate ligament injury or something else? Book a consult with the MPS surgical team. In most cases we can confirm whether a torn ACL is present from a physical examination alone, with no need for expensive imaging.

Dog showing signs of a torn ACL or cruciate ligament injury

Diagnosing a Torn ACL or Cruciate Ligament in Dogs

A complete ACL tear is diagnosed during a physical exam of your pet. When we feel any tibial movement relative to the femur, this instability in the stifle (knee) confirms an ACL tear. This abnormal stifle movement is called a cranial draw sign.

At MPS, we routinely do not perform x-rays as we feel these are unnecessary for diagnosing most cases of an ACL tear in dogs. X-rays can show evidence of an ACL tear such has joint effusion (fluid swelling and inflammation) and arthritic changes. However these changes are not specific for an ACL tear. A positive cranial draw sign is indicative of an ACL rupture.

When there is an absence of stifle instability and lack of pain in the back, hock or hip, the problem generally lies within the stifle joint. These cases are usually ligament strains or partial ACL tears. With rest (either cage or tied up), weight loss where necessary and gentle walking, performed over two to four weeks; more than half of these injured dogs may never require surgery at all.

Cruciate Ligament Surgery

Unfortunately, surgery is the most reliable option for dogs who have sustained a complete ACL tear, as it restores stability and function to the affected limb.

There are several surgical options to treat ACL tears in dogs. At Melbourne Pet Surgery, we offer four ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) stabilisation techniques:

Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy (TPLO), CORA-Based Levelling Osteotomy (CBLO), Modified Marquet Procedure (MMP), which is a type of TTA osteotomy and Zlig (artificial ACL replacement).

NOTE – There is NO gold standard. There is no right or wrong procedure. All modern techniques work in the majority of cases, but none are perfect. The right option depends on your dog's size, weight, activity level and your own preferences.

Click on each technique above to learn more about what is involved, the expected recovery time and the cost of each procedure.

Melbourne Pet Surgery carries out more than 250 dog ACL surgeries every year, which is far more than most vet practices in Melbourne. Our surgical team is led by Dr Scot Plummer, who holds a Bachelor of Veterinary Science with Honours from the University of Queensland and has over 20 years of surgical experience.

“Our Labrador was walking around the morning after her Zlig surgery. We honestly could not believe how quickly she bounced back.”

John

ACL and Cruciate Ligament Surgery Cost for Dogs in Melbourne

At Melbourne Pet Surgery, depending on the technique you choose, the cost of canine ACL surgery will range from $3,400 to $4,500 (based on the surgical procedure required and weight of the dog).

To stabilise a torn ACL in dogs At MPS, we aim to provide ACL surgery at a price more pet owners can afford, so fewer dogs need to suffer from this debilitating injury.

We keep our surgery costs significantly below what other hospitals charge by having a lower margin but higher volume, allowing us to pass on savings to our clients. Most other practices may only perform 10 to 20 ACL surgeries per year; however, we do more than 250 annually.

Optional pre-anaesthetic blood test available for all surgeries (additional cost)

We know that ACL surgery is a significant cost, and we do not want that to stand in the way of your dog getting the care they need. Melbourne Pet Surgery offers payment plans through Zip Pay (up to $1,000 interest free) and Zip Money (up to $5,000). We also accept VetPay. Just ask us when you get in touch and we will talk you through what is available.

Aftercare

Day 1

walking is encouraged straight away

80 to 90%

of function regained within 4 weeks

12 weeks

until full off-leash activity resumes

Same day

your dog goes home on the day of surgery

Recovery and aftercare

Depending on the ACL procedure you choose recovery and aftercare may alter slightly and you will be given specific post-operative guidance for at-home recovery.

In general, your dog will need to be in a crate for a minimum of 4 weeks after surgery. From day one, we encourage dogs to start walking– we see the best results when pet owners put in the effort to help their dogs rehabilitate following their procedure.

We recommend walking your dog several times per day, increasing the length of the walk from three to five minutes at a time in the first few weeks to 20 to 30 minutes four to six weeks after surgery.

In most cases, dogs will regain 80-90 per cent of their functionality after an ACL stabilisation procedure in just four weeks. Some patients will go from completely lame to mobile the day after treatment, and by 8 to 10 weeks post ACL surgery, your dog will be able to spend some time off-leash, with full off-leash play expected twelve weeks later.

Dog recovering well after cruciate ligament surgery

What if I don't want ACL surgery?

If your dog's ACL is completely torn, the only option is cruciate ligament surgery.

When your dog's ACL is torn, their knee becomes unstable, resulting in bone and cartilage wear and eventually, painful arthritis.

Bone spurs, or osteophytes, can form in as little as one to three weeks, causing chronic leg pain and loss of joint motion. This is particularly common in larger breeds.

At this point, surgery can only stop or slow the process; it cannot be reversed. We understand that treatment is costly, so we have done everything to keep cruciate ligament repair costs as low as possible. If your canine companion has a torn ACL, surgery is required.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dog ACL and Cruciate Ligament Surgery

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What is an ACL injury in dogs?

An ACL injury in dogs is a partial or complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament, which is the main stabilising ligament inside the knee joint. Vets also call it the cranial cruciate ligament or CCL. It is the most common orthopaedic injury we treat at Melbourne Pet Surgery. When the ligament tears, the knee becomes unstable, which is painful for your dog and leads to progressive joint damage if it is not treated.

What is the difference between an ACL and a cruciate ligament in dogs?

They refer to the same thing. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the term most people know from human anatomy, while cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is the technically correct name for the equivalent structure in dogs. Because most pet owners are more familiar with ACL, vets use both terms in everyday conversation. If your vet mentioned a cruciate ligament injury, they are talking about the same ligament as the ACL.

What are the signs of a torn ACL in dogs?

The most common signs are a sudden limp on a back leg, difficulty putting weight on the leg, and a limp that gets better with rest but comes back with activity. You might also notice swelling on the inside of the knee, reluctance to jump or use stairs, an unusual sitting posture with one leg sticking out to the side, or muscle loss in the affected leg over time. If you spot any of these, it is worth getting your dog checked as soon as possible.

How much does dog ACL surgery cost in Melbourne?

At Melbourne Pet Surgery, ACL and cruciate ligament surgery starts from $3,400 and goes up to $4,500 depending on the technique used and the size of your dog. We perform over 250 ACL surgeries a year, which means we can keep our prices well below what most Melbourne referral centres charge. Payment plans are available through Zip Pay and VetPay if that is helpful.

What ACL surgery options does Melbourne Pet Surgery offer?

We offer four techniques. TPLO reshapes the tibial plateau and is well suited to medium and large dogs. CBLO corrects the geometry of the knee and works for all sizes. MMP is a minimally invasive option that lets dogs get back to walking sooner. Zlig is the only procedure that directly replaces the torn ACL using a synthetic implant, with no bone cutting required, for dogs between 5 and 45kg. The MPS surgical team will assess your dog and recommend which approach makes the most sense for them.

How long does recovery take after dog ACL surgery?

Most dogs get back 80 to 90 per cent of their normal function within four weeks of surgery. We encourage gentle walking from day one, gradually building up over the following weeks. By 8 to 10 weeks your dog can usually spend some time off the lead in a quiet area, and full off-leash activity is typically back on the table around 12 weeks after surgery. All patients go home the same day they come in.

Can a torn ACL in dogs heal on its own without surgery?

For partial tears in smaller or less active dogs, a period of rest, weight management and restricted activity over two to four weeks can sometimes be enough, and more than half of these cases get better without an operation. However, a complete cruciate ligament rupture almost always needs surgery to restore proper stability and stop the joint from deteriorating further. Our surgical team will let you know which situation your dog is in after examining them.

Why choose Melbourne Pet Surgery for dog ACL treatment?

We perform over 250 dog ACL surgeries every year, which is considerably more than most vet practices in Melbourne. All procedures are carried out by our experienced MPS surgical team, backed by over 20 years of surgical experience. We offer all four main ACL techniques under one roof, with upfront pricing from $3,400, same-day discharge and flexible payment options. Our aim is to make quality ACL surgery accessible to every Melbourne pet owner who needs it.

ACL & Cruciate Ligament Surgery for Dogs

Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy (TPLO)

CBLO (CORA based TPLO)

Modified Marquet Procedure (MMP)