TPLO Aftercare Instructions

1) Strict "cage rest" must be enforced.  Schedule an appointment in 4 days for bandage removal and removal of the fentanyl patch.  Caution: Used patches may contain enough drug to be lethal to children or pets if ingested.  Give all medications as directed.

2) For the first 2 weeks post-op the following "rules" apply.  a)  Strict confinement to a single room or crate. A carpeted floor is best so your pet has good footing. Falling and landing straight down on the tibial crest could easily cause a fracture.  b)  Outside for bathroom duties only, on a leash.  c)  If your dog has any problems, a phone call to the clinic is necessary. This includes, but is not limited to: bandage removal, suture removal, chewing at incision, swelling or discharge from incision, refusal to eat or drink, an increase in pain or lameness.  d)  Try to eliminate or minimize the need to climb stairs. If slippery floors or stairs are necessary, you should partially support your pet with a towel-sling placed under the abdomen and catch them if they slip.

3)  At the 2-week recheck:  We will remove sutures.  Your pet should be using the leg when it walks, but will likely be limping.  Please begin walking your dog 2-3 times daily for 5-15 minutes. I call the correct walking technique "slow forced walking". The dog is expected to walk out in front of you, SLIGHTLY pulling on the leash. It is helpful if two people take the pet for walks, one holding the dogs leash, and the other person out in front of the dog encouraging the dog to come to them. If the dog tires and does not use the leg the exercise is doing no good and that exercise period should be stopped. The owner may increase the duration of the exercise, but not the forcefulness of it. THERE IS NO RUNNING, JUMPING, HIGH IMPACT EXERCISE, OR PLAYING FOR A TOTAL OF 4 MONTHS POST-OP! Swimming in calm water (without an explosive entry into the water!) is also great physical therapy.  Schedule a 2-month post-op appointment for anesthesia and radiographs.   If your pet has ANY setback, and is not continuing to improve, reevaluation and radiographs may be required.

4) At the 2-month recheck: a) Your dog should be using the leg almost 100%. Most are trying to do more than they should be doing. b) We will anesthetize and take lateral and PA views of the affected stifle.. We will be sending the radiographs to the surgeon for his evaluation.  c) Please owner continue WALKING THE DOG.

5) After the 4-month recheck and radiographs if needed: a) Your dog should be using the leg 100% (unless significant DJD was present prior to surgery). It may have returned to a normal sitting posture. You may now GRADUALLY increase its level of activity over the next month to full activity.