Cranial Cruciate Ligament Tear, the Common Claim You’ve Never Heard About
06 December 2017 - 1:00AM
Athletes and sports fans are familiar with ACL injuries in humans.
But do they know that a similar injury occurs frequently in our
pets? In dogs, this common orthopedic condition is called a Cranial
Cruciate Ligament (CCL) injury and is just as serious for
four-legged companions as it is for humans. When this key ligament
tears or ruptures, it can leave lasting effects on a dog, and often
requires surgery to fix. Medical insurance for dogs is giving more
options to pet owners when they face a costly surgery to repair a
CCL tear.
CCL tears are one of the most common claims Trupanion, a leader
in medical insurance for cats and dogs, sees for dogs. According to
Trupanion claims data, the average cost to repair the ligament is
around $3,800, but can easily exceed $5,000 per knee. Pet owners
with medical insurance have the ability to focus on their pet’s
recovery instead of finances when faced with a sudden large bill.
Those who have the insurance when their dog injures their CCL can
quickly see the benefits of financial coverage.
Liz F. from Fairfield, Connecticut looked into pet health
insurance when she rescued her 90-pound mixed breed dog, Bo. “To
ensure Bo would never suffer and always get the best medical care,
I immediately made sure he was covered by Trupanion,” she said.
Less than a year later, Bo developed a limp in his hind leg. Liz
took him to Fairfield Veterinary Hospital. “Sure enough, Bo had
torn his CCL and we scheduled surgery. Knowing that Bo was covered
by Trupanion took away all of the financial stress and allowed me
to focus 100% on his care and rehabilitation,” Liz said. His
treatment was a success and he could return to romps in the snow
and swimming in the ocean. The Trupanion plan covered over $2,000
of the veterinary costs along the way.
A rupture can happen in an instant or over a long period of time
as the joint degenerates. While it can happen to any dog,
overweight dogs, large breeds, and certain breeds like Labrador
Retrievers are often affected. If a dog tears one CCL, their risk
of injuring the other side increases—which can significantly
increase a pet owner’s veterinary costs.
When Paul and Sandy B. adopted two chocolate Labs, Bruno and
Bella, they purchased Trupanion policies for both. “Bella could
have been a competitor in dock jumping competitions,” recalled
Paul. “Her enthusiasm was incredible.” She consequently tore both
CCLs and needed a meniscus repair but her Trupanion policy covered
over $10,000 of the costs.
“If not for the folks at Trupanion, she may have been left with
very limited mobility, which would've been heartbreaking for a dog
with her spirit,” said Paul.
When a human tears their ACL, many chose to do everything in
their power to get back on their feet. From surgery to rehab to
physical therapy, we put time and effort into recovery. Many pet
owners are taking a similar route with CCL injuries in their dogs,
and medical insurance is helping cover the cost.
About Trupanion
Trupanion is a leader in medical insurance for cats and dogs
throughout the United States and Canada. For almost two decades,
Trupanion has given pet owners peace of mind so they can focus on
their pet's recovery, not financial stress. Trupanion is committed
to providing pet owners with the highest value in pet medical
insurance. Trupanion is listed on NASDAQ under the symbol "TRUP".
The company was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Seattle,
WA. Trupanion policies are issued in the United States by its
wholly-owned insurance entity American Pet Insurance Company, and
in Canada by Omega General Insurance Company. For more information
please visit Trupanion.com.
MediaRelations@Trupanion.com
206-607-1930
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