The period after your dog's TPLO surgery is very important to the speedy healing and rehabilitation of your dog's affected limb.
One of the best things to do is to prepare your home in order to provide a comfortable place to rest and recuperate.
After TPLO surgery, your dog must be kept confined to prevent aggravation of the healing limb.
A crate is indispensable when you want to limit your dog's movements.
However, there are dogs that don't relish spending time inside a crate, thus you can allocate a small space for your dog's living quarters during this time.
Be sure that the area is away from traffic-both from humans and pets-to prevent your dog from getting excited.
Jumping up and down long before the limb has healed will jeopardize the chances of correct healing and obtaining full use of the limb.
It is very important that you take essential precautionary measures to prevent your dog from constantly moving and over-extending the leg which has undergone surgery.
Restricting its movements will ensure that the tissues of the affected limb will heal well and its full use regained.
Aside from putting the dog on a crate, a leash will help limit its movements when it needs to go out to relieve himself.
During the recovery period, the stairs are strictly off limits.
Climbing up and down the stairs may cause over-extension of the affected limb and delay the healing process.
When you have to pass through a flight of stairs to go out of the house, you need to carry or support your dog with a harness or towel under its belly.
Be careful of slippery floors.
Never allow your dog to have access to areas of the house with slippery floors.
You can also put rugs or carpets on these areas if your dog has to pass through this part of the house.
Slipping might further cause injury and complicate the situation.
Aftercare should never be taken for granted.
The period after TPLO surgery is indeed very crucial.
It is a period of confinement, healing and rehabilitation.
Any injury to the affected limb may require a repeat surgery which entails more expense and a long recuperating period.