Dogs With Stifle Injuries Return To Competition

A study published in the July 2025 AVMA Journal reported that 74.3% of 142 agility dogs returned to agility competition within 2 years of stifle injury including cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture. Median time to training was 7 months and to competition was 9 months. Eighty-two % of dogs had surgery and 18% of dogs were treated conservatively. There was no association between partial or complete CCL tears and surgical or conservative treatment, and return to agility. Dogs that were treated by a veterinarian with advanced training were more likely to return to agility. Dogs that were rehabilitated by motivated owners and under the guidance of an experienced veterinarian were more likely to return to agility.

“Most agility dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture return to competition within 2 years of injury”

Debra C. Sellon DVM, PhD, DACVIM, and Denis J. Marcellin-Little DEDV, DACVS, DECVS, DACVSMR

Dr. Gillis is Board Certified in Sports Medicine and has 15 years of experience in diagnosing and rehabilitating stifle injuries in canine athletes. Through conservative treatment and rehabilitation, she has an 85% return to competition rate. She is happy to be a part of your diagnostic and treatment team. We can examine dogs on site in Aiken, South Carolina, and Dr. Gillis is available for remote veterinarian consults.