Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO)
Your dog received an epidural injection of an anesthetic agent today. The purpose of the injection is to relieve post-operative discomfort. The downside of this injection is that it can lead to temporary weakness of the hind limbs and urine retention. As such, your dog will most likely require some assistance when standing and walking. It is imperative that his or her urination be observed. If he or she has not urinated by the morning following surgery, please contact your veterinarian. They might recommend bringing your dog back so that his or her urinary bladder can be palpated and possibly expressed.
Activity Limitation
Limit activity to brief leash walks for urination and defecation until the bone is healed based on radiographs (x-rays). For the first 2 weeks after surgery, limit the walks to 5-10 minutes 2-4 times daily. Supporting with a towel or other such sling under the belly and in front of the legs may be necessary when going across slick floors or up and down stairs. After the first 2 weeks, if your dog will tolerate it, the duration of the walks can be increased to 15-20 minutes. When in doubt, less activity is better than more.
Range-of-Motion Exercises
Beginning on the morning following surgery, apply a cold compress (e.g. a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel) to the operated stifle (knee) for approximately 10 minutes if your dog will tolerate it. Remove the cold compress. Gently tickle the toes thus causing him or her to pull the leg up as far as is tolerable. Initially, this will not be very far. Hold the paw at that extreme for 5- 10 seconds and then allow the leg to extend and relax for 5-10 seconds. That is one repetition. Perform 10-15 repetitions 3-4 times daily. For the first 2-4 days post-operatively, apply cold compresses for 5-10 minutes before and after the exercise sessions. Thereafter, apply a warm compress (moist towel heated in a microwave oven) before and after the exercises.
Please keep in mind that the goal is to achieve a nearly complete range of motion by skin staple removal (10-14 days post-operatively). Do not try to accomplish this in one or two days. Go slowly. Take “baby” steps.
Incisional Care
Your dog will likely leave the hospital with a small patch bandage covering the incisions. The patch bandage generally comes off on its own 1-3 days after surgery. If it is adhered well, it may stay on until skin staple removal at 10-14 days post-operatively. Regardless of when the bandage comes off, it does not need to be replaced. Once the incision is uncovered, monitor it for discharge such as blood, serum or pus. If noted please call your veterinarian.
Radiographs
Radiographs to assess healing of the bone should be taken by your veterinarian approximately 8 weeks following surgery. Assuming the bone is healed at that time, you will be directed to return your dog to unrestricted activity over the subsequent month. An instruction sheet with that protocol has been provided.
Download Post-Op care following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO)
Fracture
Activity Limitation
Limit activity to brief leash walks for urination and defecation until the bone is healed based on radiographs (x-rays). For the first 2 weeks after surgery, limit the walks to 5-10 minutes 2-4 times daily. For hind limb fractures, supporting with a towel or other such sling under the belly and in front of the hind legs may be necessary when going across slick floors or up and down stairs. After the first 2 weeks, if the pet will tolerate it, the duration of the walks can be increased to 15-20 minutes. When in doubt, less activity is better than more.
Cast Maintenance (if necessary)
The cast should be maintained for approximately 6 weeks. Keep the cast clean and dry at all times. If it becomes wet or excessively soiled, it may need to be changed immediately. Return to your veterinarian weekly while your dog is wearing the cast to make sure that all is well.
Monitor the toes for coldness, swelling and pain. If any of those symptoms are noted, your dog should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Incisional Care
If the incision is covered by a cast or splint, you will not be able to assess the incision. If the incision is not covered by a cast or splint, it should be monitored for discharge such as blood, serum or pus. If noted, please call your veterinarian as soon as possible. Contrary to some recommendations, licking the incision is not a good idea. The patient’s tongue should be kept off of the incision. As such, it is reasonable for pets to wear an Elizabethan collar (“cone of shame”) or an inflatable donut collar. We recommend Elizabethan collars for smaller patients and inflatable donut collars for larger patients.
Radiographs
Radiographs to assess healing of the bone should be taken by your veterinarian approximately 8 weeks following surgery. Assuming the bone is healed at that time, you will be directed to return your pet to unrestricted activity over the subsequent month. If necessary, an instruction sheet with that protocol will be provided.
Total Ear Canal Ablation (TECA)
Activity Limitation
Limit activity to brief leash walks for urination and defecation for 2-3 weeks post-operatively. When in doubt, less activity is better than more.
Incisional Care
Your dog will likely leave the hospital with no dressings covering the incisions. Two to three times daily, cradle your dog’s head with a warm, moist towel covering the surgical site for 5- 10 minutes. Many dogs find this soothing. This will encourage drainage and is a good way to keep the incision clean of any discharge.
Return to your veterinarian 10-14 days post-operatively for skin suture removal. The suture tags have been left long intentionally to facilitate removal.
Feeding
For the first 3-5 days post-operatively, it is appropriate to feed your dog a canned dog food. This is easier for most dogs to chew and swallow following this procedure.
Post-Operative Complications
The most noteworthy complications following this procedure include the development of a chronic draining tract. This can indicate the presence of an epithelial remnant and is most appropriately treated by surgical exploration of the surgery site in an effort to find such epithelial tissue.
Patients can develop permanent or transient damage to the facial nerve (muscles of facial expression). This is secondary to retraction of the facial nerve during surgery and it can also be due to the local anesthetic block that was administered prior to closure. If the nerve is not cut, function will generally return in 4-6 weeks but it can be permanent.
Some patients will develop a head tilt to one side. This occurs if the balance center is irritated during surgery. If this occurs, it is generally transient and will resolve of its own accord 4-6 weeks post-operatively.
Medial Patella Surgery (MPL)
Your dog received an epidural injection of an anesthetic agent today called bupivacaine. The purpose of the injection is to relieve post-operative discomfort. The downside of this injection is that it can lead to temporary weakness of the hind limbs and urine retention. As such, your dog will most likely require some assistance when standing and walking. It is imperative that his or her urination be observed. If he or she has not urinated by the morning following surgery, please contact your veterinarian. He or she might recommend bringing the patient back so that his or her urinary bladder can be palpated and possibly expressed.
Activity Limitation
Limit activity to brief, slow leash walks for urination and defecation until the bone is healed based on radiographs (x-rays). For the first 2 weeks after surgery, limit the walks to 5-10 minutes 2-4 times daily. Smaller patients should be carried outside and carried back inside after their walks in order to avoid stairs or thresholds. After the first 2 weeks, if the pet will tolerate it, the duration of the walks can be increased to 10-15 minutes. When in doubt, less activity is better than more.
Range-of-Motion Exercises
Beginning on the morning following surgery, apply a cold compress (e.g. a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel) to the operated stifle (knee) for approximately 5 minutes if your pet will tolerate it. Remove the cold compress. Gently tickle the toes thus causing your pet to pull the leg up as far as is tolerable. Initially, this will not be very far. Hold the paw at that extreme for 5-10 seconds and then allow the leg to extend and relax for 5-10 seconds. That is one repetition. Perform 10-15 repetitions 3-4 times daily. For the first 2-4 days post-operatively, apply cold compresses for 5 minutes before and after the exercise sessions. Thereafter, apply a warm compress (moist towel heated in a microwave oven) before and after the exercises.
Please keep in mind that the goal is to achieve a nearly complete range of motion by skin suture removal (10-14 days post-operatively). Do not try to accomplish this in one or two days. Go slowly. Take “baby” steps.
Incisional Care
Your dog will likely leave the hospital with a small patch bandage covering the incision. The patch bandage generally comes off on its own 1-3 days after surgery. If it is adhered well, it may stay on until skin suture removal at 10-14 days post-operatively. Regardless of when the bandage comes off, it does not need to be replaced. Once the incision is uncovered, monitor it for discharge such as blood, serum or pus. If noted please call your veterinarian.
Radiographs
Radiographs to assess healing of the bone should be taken by your veterinarian approximately 6-8 weeks following surgery. Assuming the bone is healed at that time, you will be directed to return your pet to unrestricted activity over the subsequent 2-4 weeks. An instruction sheet with that protocol will be provided.
Laryngeal Tie-Back (Cricoarytenoid Lateralization)
Your dog was presented today for a laryngeal examination and laryngeal surgery. He or she was found to have laryngeal paralysis and was taken to surgery where a cricoarytenoid lateralization (“tie-back”) was performed.
Limit your dog’s activity to brief leash walks for urination and defecation for the next 3 weeks. He or she should receive post-operative antibiotics and analgesic medications as per the instructions of your veterinarian. He or she should be fed canned dog food formed into small meatballs for the first 3-5 days post-operatively. Your dog should return to your veterinarian 10-14 days post-operatively to assess his or her progress and remove the skin staples.
Your dog will always be at risk for the development of aspiration pneumonia. As such, you should always be mindful of the acute onset of depression and anorexia. If those signs are noted, your dog should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. Do NOT wait a few days to see if things improve!
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) Occlusion
Activity Limitation
Limit activity to brief leash walks for urination and defecation for 6-8 weeks postoperatively. This is necessary in order to allow the aorta to remodel to accommodate to the newly increased pressure. If the pressure becomes to high, as can happen with exuberant activity, the aorta can rupture resulting in acute death.
Incisional Care
The incisions are covered by patch bandages. The patch bandages generally remain in place 1-3 days. Regardless of when they come off, they do not need to be replaced. The incisions should be monitored for discharge such as blood, serum or pus. If noted, contact your veterinarian. Schedule a skin suture removal visit with your veterinarian 10-14 days post-operatively.
Analgesic and Antimicrobial Medications
Analgesic and antimicrobial medications should be administered as per the instructions of your veterinarian.
Laminectomy
Activity Limitation
Depending upon the degree of neurologic compromise of the patient, activity limitation may or may not be a challenge. These pets should be limited to brief excursions to urinate and defecate for 6-8 weeks post-operatively. When the patient regains the ability to urinate and defecate, he or she should be carried outside to urinate and defecate.
Urinary Bladder Expression
One of the most significant complications following spinal surgery is detrusor atony. This is an inability of the urinary bladder to contract and empty itself and is due to overfilling and thus overstretching of the bladder muscle. If necessary, the urinary bladder should be manually expressed. Your veterinarian can demonstrate how to do this and teach you how to do it. It is mandatory that the urinary bladder not be allowed to overfill as that could lead to a poorly functioning bladder.
Range-of-Motion Exercises
Beginning on the morning following surgery, range-of-motion exercises should be performed on all affected limbs. Gently flex and extend each neurologically affected limb for 15-20 repetitions 3-4 times daily.
Incisional Care
Your dog will likely leave the hospital with a small patch bandage covering the incision. The patch bandage generally comes off on its own 2-4 days after surgery. If it is adhered well, it may stay on until skin staple removal at 10-14 days post-operatively. Once the incision is uncovered, monitor it for discharge such as blood, serum or pus. If noted please call your veterinarian.
Physical Rehabilitation
In many cases, it may be necessary to refer your pet for extensive physical rehabilitation. If that is necessary, your veterinarian will discuss this with you.
Tibial Crest Avulsion Stabilization
Activity Limitation
Limit activity to brief leash walks for urination and defecation until the bone is healed based on radiographs (x-rays). Limit walks to 5-10 minutes 2-4 times daily. Supporting with a towel or other such sling under the belly and in front of the legs may be necessary when going across slick floors or up and down stairs. When in doubt, less activity is better than more.
Range-of-Motion Exercises
Beginning on the morning following surgery, apply a cold compress (e.g. a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel) to the operated stifle (knee) for approximately 3-5 minutes if the patient will tolerate it. Remove the cold compress. Gently tickle the toes thus causing the patient to pull the leg up as far as is tolerable. Initially, this will not be very far. Hold the paw at that extreme for 5-10 seconds and then allow the leg to extend and relax for 5-10 seconds. That is one repetition. Perform 10-15 repetitions 3-4 times daily. For the first 2-4 days post-operatively, apply cold compresses for 3-5 minutes before and after the exercise sessions. Thereafter, apply a warm compress (moist towel heated in a microwave oven) before and after the exercises.
Please keep in mind that the goal is to achieve a nearly complete range of motion by skin suture removal (10-14 days post-operatively). Do not try to accomplish this in one or two days. Go slowly. Take “baby” steps.
Incisional Care
Monitor the incision for discharge such as blood, serum or pus. If noted, please call your veterinarian.
Barring complications, return to your veterinarian 10-14 days post-operatively to assess progress and remove skin sutures or skin staples.
Implant Removal
Arrangements should be made for the patient to return to your veterinarian in 3-4 weeks. At that time, radiographs will be taken to assess the healing and the implants (pins and wire) will most likely be removed. Implant removal is based upon appropriate healing. Implants should be removed in order to minimize the impact on the growth potential of physis (growth plate) of the tibial crest. There will be additional charges incurred for this procedure and it should be scheduled through your veterinarian.
Lateral Fabello-Tibial Suture
Your dog received an epidural injection of an anesthetic agent today called bupivacaine. The purpose of the injection is to relieve post-operative discomfort. The downside of this injection is that it can lead to temporary weakness of the hind limbs and urine retention. As such, your dog will most likely require some assistance when standing and walking. It is imperative that his or her urination be observed. If he or she has not urinated by the morning following surgery, please contact your veterinarian. He or she might recommend bringing the patient back so that his or her urinary bladder can be palpated and possibly expressed.
Activity Limitation
Limit activity to brief leash walks for urination and defecation for 6 weeks post-operatively. Limit the walks to 5-10 minutes 2-4 times daily. Supporting with a towel or other such sling under the belly and in front of the hind legs may be necessary when going across slick floors. Smaller dogs should be carried up and down stairs. When in doubt, less activity is better than more.
Range-of-Motion Exercises
Beginning on the morning following surgery, apply a cold compress (e.g. a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel) to the operated stifles (knees) for approximately 5 minutes if your dog will tolerate it. Remove the cold compress. Gently tickle the toes thus causing your dog to pull the leg up as far as is tolerable. Initially, this will not be very far. Hold the paw at that extreme for 5-10 seconds and then allow the leg to extend and relax for 5-10 seconds. That is one repetition. Perform 10-15 repetitions 3-4 times daily. For the first 2-4 days post-operatively, apply cold compresses for 5 minutes before and after the exercise sessions. Thereafter, apply a warm compress (moist towel heated in a microwave oven) before and after the exercises.
Please keep in mind that the goal is to achieve a nearly complete range of motion by 10-14 days post-operatively. Do not try to accomplish this in one or two days. Go slowly. Take “baby” steps.
Incisional Care
The patient may leave the hospital with a small patch bandage covering the incision. The patch bandage generally comes off on its own 1-3 days after surgery. If it is adhered well, it may stay on until skin incision assessment at 10-14 days post-operatively. Regardless of when the bandage comes off, it does not need to be replaced. Once the incision is uncovered, monitor it for discharge such as blood, serum or pus. If noted please call your veterinarian. Return to your veterinarian 10-14 days post-operatively to assess progress and remove the skin sutures.
Femoral Head and Neck Excision (FHNE)
Many, but not all, dogs receive an epidural injection of an anesthetic agent called bupivacaine prior to surgery. The purpose of the injection is to relieve intra-operative and post-operative discomfort. The downside of this injection is that it can lead to temporary weakness of the hind limbs and urine retention. As such, your dog may require some assistance when standing and walking.
It is imperative that his or her urination be observed. If he or she has not urinated by the morning following surgery, please contact your veterinarian or one of the emergency hospitals. They might recommend bringing your dog in so that his or her urinary bladder can be palpated and possibly expressed.
Activity
Activity should be limited to a small room or kennel for the first 2-3 days following surgery in order to allow the post-operative pain and inflammation to decrease. Thereafter, activity should be encouraged. For dogs, slow leash walks will encourage the patient to place and use the operated limb. Those leash walks can be as long as 20-30 minutes depending upon the tolerance of the pet. Supporting with a towel or other such sling under the belly and in front of the legs may be necessary when going across slick floors or up and down stairs.
Range-of-Motion Exercises
Beginning 48 hours following surgery, apply a cold compress (e.g. a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel) to the operated hip for approximately 5-20 minutes depending upon the size of the patient. Remove the cold compress. Carefully and gently push the stifle (knee) back thus extending the hip. Do not extend the hip any farther than the pet will tolerate. After holding the hip at the tolerated extreme for 5-10 seconds, allow the hip to relax for 5-10 seconds. That is one repetition. If possible, perform 10-15 repetitions per session with 4-6 sessions per day. Initially, the range of motion will be very little. With time, however, the range will increase. It is imperative that one concentrate on restoration of extensor range of motion as that appears to be the greatest limiting factor following this procedure. For the first 2-4 days of therapy, apply cold compresses before and after the exercise sessions. Thereafter, apply a warm compress (moist towel heated in a microwave oven) before and after the exercises.
Please keep in mind that the goal is to achieve a nearly complete range of motion by skin staple or suture removal (10-14 days post-operatively). Do not try to accomplish this in one or two days. Go slowly. Take “baby” steps.
If warranted, your veterinarian may recommend physical rehabilitation with one of the other hospitals in town providing that service.
Incisional Care
Your pet will likely leave the hospital with a small patch bandage covering the incision. The patch bandage generally comes off on its own 1-3 days after surgery. If it is adhered well, it may stay on until skin staple or suture removal at 10-14 days post-operatively. Once the incision is uncovered, monitor it for discharge such as blood, serum or pus. If noted please call
your veterinarian.
Download Post-Op care following femoral head and neck excision (FHNE)
PLEASE NOTE : These instructions are rather generic and intended to provide caregivers an idea of what is expected following this procedure. Actual instructions may vary considerably depending upon many factors.