What to Expect After CCL Surgery
Whether your dog has undergone a TTA, TPLO, Tightrope, or traditional extracapsular imbrication repair, the steps following surgery are generally the same. Whether your dog stays the night at the vet’s after surgery, or head home with you the day of the procedure, the first few days following the CCL repair should be dedicated to making your dog feel as comfortable as possible. Be aware that your dog may have lost his appetite as a result of the surgery, so have stocks, rice, chicken, pumpkin and other whole foods readily available if he refuses his regular dog food. Oral pain medications should never be given on an empty stomach, and having a number of different foods at your disposal will help make medication administration much more pleasant for you and your pet.
Check the incision for signs of infection daily which include swelling, pain, discharge and redness. This is obviously not possible if your dog came home with a modified Robert Jones (or similar) bandage, but the same rule applies – check the area around the cast each day, making sure to check for any swelling, discoloration or infection. When checking the surgical site, a cold compress can be applied to the stifle three times daily, 10 minutes per session for the first 2 days to help reduce the swelling. Starting on the third day after surgery, a warm compress can be applied to the stifle in order to soften the connective tissues. Your veterinarian will instruct you as to whether to also pursue range of motion exercises or physical therapy at this time – this will depend on which procedure your dog underwent.
Running, jumping, and rough play are not allowed during the first four months after surgery.
Just remember to listen to your dog. They will make you aware of their comfort level, and let you know when they are ready to start using the injured limb more. No one is perfect, and we have all had those “oops” moments when our dog tried to do too much too soon, but just stay positive. Your dog has a keen sense of what you are thinking and feeling, and this ultimately will have an effect on their recovery.
Thor, a 123 pound Newfie/Lab cross has had a rough recovery – to say the least….but here are a few tips for the dog who cannot or will not eat….(he had nothing to eat by hand until 5 – 6 days later). We used a syringe to give his antibiotics mixed in cherry jello liquid – good for his tummy and great to disguise the medication…Also had to give soup broth by syringe, water, and sometimes some melted ice cream just to ensure that there was some substance in his tummy to absorb the medications he was on. His recovery is now at 12 days and continues very slowly….but he is finally on the road back thanks to a drainage tube put in (at last) on day 7. Only in the last 2 days has he eaten (about half his usual appetite) by himself. Yesterday, he ate happily on his own to our great relief.
Bella is a 155 Newf, and we’re quite worried about she will handle the recovery. We have a backyard with a porch, with about 6 steps down to the yard. This is normally where Bella goes to the bathroom, so we’re not sure what we should do. Perhaps block the stairs off and allow her to go on the back porch?
Also, we have all hardwoods throughout and an open floor plan on the first floor, so we’re worried about her ability to recover in this environment. Am I being overconcerned or do we need to take additional steps to help her recovery?
Hi Rob: Sadie is having TPLO on the 4th and we are worried about these things as well. We are borrowing rubber backed carpets and floor mats to cover our hardwoods and linolium. We have steps too (at all the doors). The neighbor may have a ramp we can use but I’m ordering a ramp of petedge.com so I can get her in and out of the SUV and the house. We will also be using a towel under her belly to help her up and down the stairs.
I’m very concerned about doing everything right. I’m literally sectioning off parts of the house with big, solid, can’t jump on it or over it furniture. Sadie is a very active pit bull and I have no doubt she’d clear a baby gate and the stairs in no time. I even had the sofa removed to the neighbor’s garage until she’s healed. I’m feeling a little OCD coming on . . .