How do I know when it is time to say goodbye to my pet?

There is rarely one obvious sign. Most owners notice a combination of changes, such as reduced interest in food, difficulty resting comfortably, or fewer good days than difficult ones. Speaking to your vet about what you are noticing can help you feel more confident in whatever decision follows.

What is a quality of life checklist and how do I use one?

It is a simple way of looking at your pet's overall comfort rather than a single symptom. Considering things like appetite, mobility, breathing and general contentment together can give you a clearer picture than any one change on its own, and your vet can help you work through it.

Can euthanasia take place at home instead of at the practice?

In certain circumstances, yes. A home visit can offer a familiar, calm environment for both you and your pet. Availability depends on your location and your pet's needs, so it is best to speak to the team directly to talk through what would work for your family.

How can I cope with the loss of a pet?

Everyone grieves differently, and there is no timetable to follow. Giving yourself permission to feel sad, talking about your pet if that helps, and reaching out to pet loss support if you need to are all valid ways to cope.

How do I help children understand and cope with pet loss?

Honesty in simple, age-appropriate terms usually helps more than trying to protect children from what has happened. Involving them in saying goodbye, in whatever way feels right for their age, can also support their understanding.

Where can I find pet loss support after losing a pet?

Blue Cross runs a free Pet Loss Support line, webchat and email service every day between 8.30 am and 8.30 pm, on 0800 096 6606. Cats Protection offers a similar Grief and Loss line for cat owners, open weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm, on 0800 024 9494. Both are confidential and free to use, whether or not you have used their other services before.

My puppy or kitten has just had their first vaccine. When can they go outside?

We recommend keeping puppies and kittens indoors until one week after they have completed their primary vaccination course. This is particularly important because diseases such as parvovirus can survive in parks, on pavements, and in areas where dogs gather. Socialisation is also vital during this period, and our team can advise you on safe ways to introduce new experiences while your pet is still protected.

My dog attends day care. Which vaccines does he actually need?

Most dog day care providers and boarding kennels require your dog to have an up-to-date DHPPi vaccination, an annual leptospirosis booster, and an annual kennel cough vaccine. Proof of kennel cough vaccination is commonly requested. If your dog's vaccination history is held by another veterinary practice and you are unsure what is current, bring your records to us and we will review them for you.

My rabbit lives indoors. Does she still need to be vaccinated?

Yes. Rabbits that live indoors still need annual vaccinations because Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHD2) can be carried by insects and persist in the environment. We recommend annual vaccination for all rabbits regardless of where they live. If your rabbit has never been vaccinated before, the first appointment is straightforward and does not require a primary vaccination course like dogs and cats.

My pet had a reaction to a vaccine at another practice. What should I tell you?

Please tell us everything you know, including which vaccine was given, how long after the injection the reaction occurred, what signs your pet showed, and how it was treated. Vaccine reactions are uncommon, but this information helps us tailor your pet's care. Depending on their history, we may recommend monitoring your pet at the practice after vaccination, adjusting the vaccination protocol, or discussing alternative options where appropriate.

Cruciate ligament injury in dogs: signs, options and recovery

If your dog has suddenly started favouring a back leg, you’re probably doing what most owners do: watching them walk across the kitchen a few too many times, half hoping it’s nothing. Often it is nothing much, a knock or a strain that settles in a day or two. But one of the most common causes of sudden back leg lameness in dogs is a cruciate ligament injury, and if your dog turns out to have a cruciate ligament dog problem, as vets sometimes hear it put, it’s worth knowing what to look for early so you can get them seen promptly.

What is a cruciate ligament injury?

The cranial cruciate ligament sits inside the knee (the stifle, in veterinary terms) and helps keep the joint stable when your dog runs, turns or jumps. When it’s damaged, whether through a sudden twist during play or gradual wear over time, the knee loses that stability and every step becomes uncomfortable. It’s genuinely one of the most frequent orthopaedic problems we see at Rock House Vets, and it affects dogs of all ages, though certain dogs are more likely to be affected than others.

Unlike a lot of sporting injuries, this one doesn’t always come from one dramatic moment. Some dogs do injure the ligament outright, often mid-play or after an awkward landing, and go from running normally to suddenly holding a leg up. Others develop a slower, partial tear that shows up as an intermittent limp that comes and goes, gets worse after exercise, then eases with rest, only to flare up again a few weeks later. Left unmanaged, a partial tear tends to progress, and it can also change how weight is carried through the joint, which is part of why early assessment matters.

Cruciate ligament surgery at Rock House Vets

Which dogs are most at risk?

Larger and more active breeds carry a higher risk generally, and Labradors, Rottweilers, Newfoundlands and West Highland White Terriers all come up more often in cruciate cases than most. Dogs carrying extra weight are at meaningfully higher risk too, since the joint is under more strain with every step, and neutered dogs of larger breeds appear to be somewhat more predisposed as well, likely linked to how growth plates develop. None of this means a different breed or a lean, fit dog can’t be affected. It simply means that if your dog fits one of these categories and starts limping, it’s a reasonable first thought rather than a leap.

Why is my dog limping? The signs to watch for

If you’re asking why is my dog limping, cruciate injury is one of the more likely answers when the limp affects a back leg specifically, though it isn’t the only possible cause. The signs tend to include a noticeable reluctance to put full weight on one back leg, sitting with that leg held out to the side rather than tucked neatly underneath, stiffness that’s worse first thing in the morning or after resting, a slight clicking sensation in the knee in some cases, and a general slowing down on walks that owners sometimes put down to “getting older” before realising something more specific is going on.

If you notice any of these, it’s worth booking your dog in rather than waiting to see if it resolves on its own. A ligament that’s partially torn can progress to a full tear under continued strain, and the sooner we can assess the joint, the more options are usually on the table.

How we diagnose it

Diagnosis starts with a hands-on examination. We’ll check the stability of the knee joint directly, feeling for the specific movement that indicates a torn or damaged ligament, alongside a general assessment of your dog’s gait and muscle condition. From there, we’ll usually recommend an X-ray to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other causes of lameness, such as a fracture or a problem elsewhere in the leg. You can read more about what your vet can see on an X-ray if you’re curious about how that part of the process works. In some cases, particularly where the diagnosis is uncertain, sedation is used so we can examine the joint fully without any discomfort to your dog.

Cruciate surgery for dogs by Rock House Vets

Treatment options: surgical and conservative

Treatment depends on your dog’s size, activity level and the severity of the tear, and this is very much a conversation we’ll have with you rather than a one-size-fits-all decision. Smaller, less active dogs sometimes do reasonably well with a conservative approach: strict rest, weight management and controlled exercise to allow the joint to stabilise naturally with scar tissue over time. It’s a slower route and not guaranteed to fully resolve the instability, but for the right dog it can work.

For larger or more active dogs, or where the tear is significant, surgery is usually the more reliable route to a full recovery and a return to normal activity. TPLO surgery, short for tibial plateau levelling osteotomy, is one of the more established techniques and works by changing the angle of the top of the shin bone so the knee no longer relies on the damaged ligament for stability. It isn’t the only surgical option, and which technique suits your dog best will depend on their size, age and how the joint is put together.

We have our orthopaedic team at Rock House Vets on hand for exactly this kind of procedure, offering an in-house surgical option so you’re not having to travel to a distant referral centre at what’s already a stressful time. Whichever path suits your dog best, we’ll talk you through the reasoning honestly, including the likely recovery timeline and what day-to-day life looks like while your dog heals.

What recovery actually looks like

Recovery from cruciate surgery is a process measured in weeks rather than days, and it asks a fair bit of patience from both you and your dog. The first couple of weeks are about strict rest: short lead walks only, no jumping onto furniture, no off-lead time in the garden, however much those pleading eyes might try to persuade you otherwise. Over the following weeks, we’ll guide you through a gradual increase in activity, building strength back into the leg without overloading the healing joint. Most dogs are walking comfortably again within a couple of months, though a full return to running and off-lead exercise generally takes closer to three months.

If a procedure is booked in, it’s well worth reading through getting your dog ready for the day itself so you know exactly what to expect on the morning, from fasting times to what to bring with you.

The longer-term picture

It’s worth being honest about this part too. Once a joint has had a cruciate injury, some degree of arthritis in that knee over time is common, whether or not surgery was carried out, simply because the joint has been through significant change. Good weight management, appropriate exercise and, for some dogs, joint supplements can all help slow that process and keep your dog comfortable for years afterwards. Dogs who injure one cruciate ligament are also at a somewhat higher risk of injuring the other one later, particularly if there’s an underlying joint conformation issue, so we’ll often talk through general joint health at your follow-up, and BVA hip and elbow scoring can be a useful part of that wider picture for some dogs.

Dog cruciate surgery for orthopaedic procedures at Rock House Vets

A note on cost

Cruciate surgery is one of the more significant orthopaedic procedures we carry out, and cost is a completely fair thing to want clarity on early. Prices vary depending on the technique used and your dog’s size, so we’ll always give you a clear estimate before anything is booked in rather than leaving you guessing. If your dog is insured, most policies will cover this kind of injury, so it’s worth checking your policy or, if you don’t currently have pet insurance, having a look at what cover might suit your situation before you need it.

We are here whenever you need us

A limping dog is worrying, and it’s natural to want answers quickly. If you’ve noticed any of the signs above, or you’re simply not sure what’s going on, please get in touch. Call for a conversation with our team, and we’ll help you work out the next step for your dog. Call Rock House Vets to disscuss your concerns with your dog whenever you are ready.

Cruciate ligament injury in dogs: signs, options and recovery