POST
OPERATIVE CARE and REHABILITATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR ORTHOPEDIC
SURGERY
For the first 6 to 8 weeks
following surgery, a strict confinement regime is advised.
1.
Your pet can be inside, on carpeted surfaces, under direct
supervision. It can
wander around a room at a slow walk as long as it is not constant.
Running, jumping, bounding, playing, etc., are not
allowed.
2.
Your pet must be on a
leash at all times when outside. If the animal must cross a slick or uneven surface, you need to use
a “belly-band” in case of slipping or stumbling. The “belly-band is
not used for support but rather as a safety net to protect the
repair.
3.
When not under direct supervision, your pet should be confined to a
crate or equivalent space.
4.
Playing with other animals is not allowed during the
confinement.
5.
Food intake should be reduced 50%; maintain normal water
consumption.
6.
For the first two weeks after surgery monitor the incision for
swelling, reddening, and drainage. Licking and chewing can cause
infection and sutures to loosen. If you notice incision problems,
licking or chewing, the incision needs to be examined to rule out
infection.
7.
It can take 6 to 8 weeks for healing; your pet will frequently feel
better before this time. Over activity before healing
takes place will delay the process and could result in
failure. Tranquilizers
may be necessary to control hyperactivity, call us.
8.
If at any time during your pet’s recovery and healing, you notice
any crying in pain and or a set back in function, call us. It is
very important that you inform us if your pet does anything that is
potentially harmful to the surgery. If something has occurred which
jeopardizes the outcome of surgery, it is less difficult to correct
if caught right away.
9.
Follow up appointments are needed every two weeks for the first 6
weeks after surgery. If all is well, a final
examination is advised before the rehabilitation regime is
begun.
Rehabilitation Regime
Once healed, the rehabilitation regime is begun. During this period, activity is
gradually increased to build muscle, stretch scar tissue and
strengthen healing.
The degree of activity should be determined by your pet’s comfort
level. Increasing
duration, not intensity is the goal.
To judge your pet’s comfort level, watch when getting up after rest
and exercise. If
invigorated and excited about more activity, the animal is
comfortable. If
stiffness and complaint is noted, the amount of activity should be
reduced.
The first three to four weeks of rehabilitation are comprised of
progressively longer walks with the animal on a short lead. Begin with 5 minute walks
three times daily for three days and monitor the response. If comfortable, double the
distance ever few days. If uncomfortable with increased
exercise, cut back to the previous level for several days then
resume as permitted.
More frequent exercise periods rather than increasing the distance
are more beneficial to recovery. Swimming can be substituted for
an exercise period, but under control. Continue to double the frequency
or distance of the exercise period as long as
comfortable.
During the fourth to sixth week of rehabilitation walks are
continued on a long lead, giving greater freedom to trot back and
forth, increasing leg usage. Again, increasing length and
frequency biased upon comfort level. Walking up hills, performing
“figure-eights” and sit stays can be added as comfort
permits.
During the seventh to ninth week of rehabilitation allow very light
activity off lead, in the yard or similar confined space under
direct supervision.
Continue the long walks on lead as before. Discourage running, jumping,
chasing a ball, Frisbee or playing with other dogs. A final examination at the end of
rehabilitation is needed before full activity is
resumed.
