Will my dog be walking after surgery?
Yes! In most cases your dog (or cat!) will be walking within 6-8 hours after surgery.
Will there be a cast or bandage?
Most patients do not go home with a bandage or cast. There are a few surgeries where a bandage/splint/or cast is needed, but the surgeon would have spoken to you about that prior to surgery.
Does my dog need to be crated for the drive home from release?
While a crate is the safest place to keep a pet in a vehicle, we understand that it is not possible for everyone. We do recommend you have a bed or blanket placed down, and ideally your pet will be on a flat surface to limit the risks of them falling between the seats. Sometimes the trip home can be easier with a second person to sit with your pet in the backseat to help keep them calm and comfortable.
How do I need to set up my home?
For most surgeries we recommend having a space that you can dedicate to your pet’s recovery. A crate works very well, or a small room with no furniture to jump on. If you have slippery floors you may want to lay down some rugs or other non-slip surface to keep your pet’s footing sure.
My dog doesn’t lick, do I still need a cone?
Yes, for 10-14 days, to allow the skin to heal and prevent infection.
How long will my dog be in a cone?
Your pet will be in a cone for the first 10-14 days after surgery. That is how long skin healing typically takes. There may be some longer use if you pet is an obsessive licker as they can still cause damage to the skin which can lead to an infection.
What activity level can my dog have following the surgery?
Directly after the surgery we limit your pet's activity to 5-minute potty breaks in the yard on a leash. You can see more information about recovery activity specifics in our Recovery Timeline.
When can my dog return to normal activity level?
This is typically dependent on the surgery. For a lot of surgeries, we will take recheck radiographs at 8 weeks post-op, and if there is strong evidence of healing at that time and no other concerns, we will have you gradually transition back to normal activity over the next 2-4 weeks.
How long will my dog need to use the sling?
We recommend continuing to use the sling for any slick surfaces and stairs until the bone is healed to help prevent slips and falls.
When can my dog get groomed?
We typically recommend waiting for grooming until after the 8 week radiographs. If this is a concern for you, talk to your surgeon about other potential timelines.
When can my dog swim in rivers, lakes, and streams?
Your pet should not do any swimming until the incision is fully healed. Depending on the surgery, your surgeon may recommend wading through water for several sessions prior to returning to swimming. Any escalation in activity should be approved by the surgeon prior to initiation.
Will my dog have a quality of life if CPR is performed?
This depends on what the root cause of the CPR need is. The two causes are either an unknown underlying medical issue or a medication issue. If it is a medication issue usually a dog will have a good quality of life after CPR. If it is an unknown underlying medical issue, this can lead to less quality of life if CPR is performed. The surgeon can discuss this with you help you make an informed decision about CPR.
How many rechecks and follow-ups will be needed?
We typically will have you send a walking video and incision pictures with an update at 2 weeks post-op. If your pet has external stitches or staples, we will see you in person for a recheck at 2 weeks post-op. The only other recheck is scheduled for 8 weeks post-op to take radiographs and check for healing. If your pet is in a bandage/splint/cast we will see you every 1-2 weeks to recheck the bandage/splint/cast and make sure it is properly in place and not causing any problems. We are available Monday through Friday by phone or email for any questions that arise during recovery!