---
title: Canine Athlete with Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease
description: Limping after a dock diving competition, Kai was diagnosed with cranial cruciate ligament disease.
lastUpdated: 2025-10-02T19:06:20.000Z
sources:
  html: https://www.embracepetinsurance.com/coverage/ccl-disease-canine-athlete
  md: https://www.embracepetinsurance.com/coverage/ccl-disease-canine-athlete.md
---

# Kai's Story

![A Catahohoula Leopard Dog who seems to be pouncing on her toy in this imagegas been diagnosed with cranial cruciate ligament disease.](//images.ctfassets.net/cy68knbg9g5b/iwb1swQY6Be3DsPY3TY5r/e36c2f206876293c2c18cffd14c78fbf/kai---catahoula-leopard-dog-mix_ca4ab08d-c591-4c65-8157-2279dd689ffd.webp?)
Limping after a dock diving competition, Kai was diagnosed with cranial cruciate ligament disease.

### Vet Bill: $7,358

#### Background

When Kai, a 5 year old Catahoula Leopard Dog mix, started limping after a national dock diving competition, his owner thought he was tired, or he might have strained a muscle or ligament. The very next day Kai was at his local vet's office for a diagnosis and treatment. X-rays confirmed cranial cruciate ligament disease- the limping was not the result of trauma but a disease process.

Kai was referred to a surgeon that specialized in his condition. The doctor confirmed both knees needed treatment so a staggered surgery plan was necessary. The left knee was operated on in November and the right knee in December. Both surgeries went well; Kai is in physical therapy and planning to return to competition in April.

#### Kai’s pet parent, Stephanie M., tells his story:

"When I first heard the diagnosis of CCL disease my very first thought was if his performance career was over. He holds national titles in two disciplines. Kai competes in weight pull, lure coursing, and dock diving, all very physical events. Could he still compete with bad knees? The doctors reassured us that with proper treatment Kai could return to his performance career.

My next thought was thank god I had Embrace Pet Insurance. Surgery on two knees was going to be expensive! Early on in his performance career, Kai slipped and rolled over three times. It was then and there that I decided we needed pet insurance... just in case. I researched many companies and elected to go with Embrace because I could customize a plan that suited Kai's situation the best.

We were over the moon on Sunday from a huge win, devastated by a CCL diagnosis on Tuesday, and in surgery for the first knee on Thursday. The following week Embrace paid the first claim. Embrace also paid within a week of the second knee operation. Embrace provided excellent customer service during this very trying time!

Kai's knees are becoming stronger everyday. He was a top competitor with bad knees, everyone is waiting to see what happens with his new bionic knees!"

## Kai's Claim Refund

| **Claim Details** | **Amount** |
| --- | --- |
| Actual Vet Bill | $7,357.93 |
| Covered Charges | $7,357.93 |
| Annual Deductible | $400.00 |
| Copay | $1,391.58 |
| Total Embrace Reimbursement | $5,000.00 |