He explained that canine athletes (the ones you see on ESPN) tear their CCLs all the time. They can't afford to tear the second knee because it would end their career. So their vets actually have to understand what causes the second tear and how to prevent it.

And he said there are only two things you need to understand to heal your dog. What causes the tear. And why it doesn't heal.

1. What Caused the Tear:

Every dog gets micro tears from normal play. Running, jumping, being a dog. In most of the body these heal overnight. But the knee heals super slow because it has the worst blood supply of any tissue in a dog's body.
 

So those micro tears stack. Month after month your dog looks fine on the outside while the ligament is ripping apart on the inside until one day it finally gives out.
 

2. Why the Other Knee Is Next:

Your dog just had TPLO. During recovery, almost all of his weight is on the good leg. Those same micro tears are now stacking in that knee even faster. No blood flow, no nutrients being delivered. The same cycle that destroyed the first knee is running in the second one right now.
 

Rest doesn't stop it. Surgery doesn't stop it. Your current recovery plan does nothing to address the blood flow problem that caused all of this.
 

"A dog's knee is like a garden that has the richest soil, sunlight, but no water. So nothing grows."
 

That's when he told me about Barkies.