Post-Operative Care for General Orthopedic Surgery: Ensuring a Safe Recovery

Leash-Only Outdoor Activity

• Your pet must always be on a leash when outside for bathroom breaks.

• If crossing slick floors or uneven ground, use a belly-band to prevent slipping. (This is not for support but as a safety precaution.)

• 🚫 No off-leash activity, running, or extended walks during recovery.

Crate Confinement When Unsupervised

• When not directly supervised, your pet must be confined to an airline kennel or equivalent to prevent accidental injury.

Following these post-operative care guidelines will ensure a smoother recovery, reduce the risk of complications, and help your pet regain mobility safely.

General Post-Operative Care Guidelines for Orthopedic Surgery

A strict recovery plan is essential to ensure your pet heals properly after orthopedic surgery. Follow these guidelines carefully to prevent complications and support a smooth recovery.

Activity Restrictions & Confinement

• No playing with other animals – Keep your pet separated from other pets to prevent accidental injuries.

• Supervised movement only – Your pet should remain confined in a crate or small space when not under direct supervision.

• No jumping, running, or bouncing – If your pet is too active in its confined area, tranquilizers may be needed to reduce anxiety and prevent injury.

Nutrition & Weight Management

• Reduce food intake – Most pets will maintain a healthy weight if their food is reduced by half during confinement.

• Normal water consumption – Ensure your pet has constant access to fresh water.

• Prevent weight gain – Extra weight increases stress on healing bones and joints, delaying recovery.

Incision & Wound Care

• Monitor the incision for 2 weeks – Check daily for swelling, redness, discharge, or opening of sutures

• No licking or chewing – This can cause infection or sutures to loosen. Use an E-collar if necessary.

Healing Timeline & Preventing Setbacks

• Bone healing takes 6 to 8 weeks – Your pet may feel better before fully healed, but you must strictly follow confinement rules.

• Signs of complications:

  • If your pet yelps suddenly, contact your veterinarian immediately.

  • Recovery should show steady improvement—any setback or decline requires immediate veterinary attention.

  • Inform your veterinarian immediately if your pet experiences any sudden changes in mobility, pain, or activity that may jeopardize the surgery outcome. Early intervention leads to better long-term results.

Follow-Up Appointments & Radiographs

• 2 Weeks Post-Surgery – Incision check-up and healing assessment.

• 8 Weeks Post-Surgery – X-rays to evaluate bone healing and begin a regulated activity program.

• 4 Months Post-Surgery – Final X-rays and clearance for normal activity.

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Following these recovery guidelines will help your pet heal faster and return to a pain-free, active life.

Post-Operative Rehabilitation for Orthopedic Surgery

Once X-rays confirm bone healing (typically around 8 weeks post-surgery), a structured rehabilitation plan begins. This process gradually rebuilds muscle, stretches scar tissue, and strengthens the joint, ensuring a safe return to normal activity.

Rehabilitation Guidelines: Safe & Gradual Progress

Phase 1: Weeks 8–12 (Controlled Walking on a Short Leash)

• Begin with a 5-minute walk on a short leash in the heel position.

• If your pet remains comfortable, continue at this distance for 3–4 days.

• Gradually increase the walking time by doubling the distance every few days if there’s no stiffness or discomfort.

• If your pet shows stiffness after exercise, reduce the distance and progress more slowly.

• Multiple short walks are better than one long walk—instead of doubling walk time, increase the number of walks per day.

• Water Therapy: If your dog enjoys swimming, replace a walk with a swim of equal duration. However, avoid jumping into the water—your dog should enter at a controlled pace.

Phase 2: Weeks 12–14 (Long Leash Walking & Increased Mobility)

• Transition to a 10–15-foot leash or a flexible lead.

• Reduce walk length initially since the freedom to trot increases leg usage.

• Every few days, double the time or frequency of walks based on comfort level.

• Monitor for stiffness and adjust activity levels accordingly.

Phase 3: Weeks 14–18 (Supervised Off-Leash Time)

• Introduce mild off-leash activity in a safe, enclosed area.

• Continue long-leash walks but allow supervised off-leash time in the yard—starting with 5 minutes after a walk.

• Gradually increase off-leash time every few days while ensuring your dog remains under voice control.

• Restricted Activities: No jumping, playing with other dogs, chasing balls, frisbees, or high-impact movements.

Final Check-Up & Clearance for Full Activity

• At the end of rehabilitation (week 18+), a final veterinary check-up is required to ensure your pet is fully healed before resuming normal activity levels.

• Following this structured rehabilitation plan will help your dog regain strength safely and prevent reinjury.

Need guidance on your pet’s recovery? Contact Canton Animal Hospital today!

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