TPLO Recovery Tips
The TPLO recovery is not easy, let’s be honest. But also, it is not impossible, and we can help you survive it and even master it. Medications, activity restriction and incisional care are paramount. Here are some tips.
The Elizabethan Collar aka “the Cone”
No one loves the cone, but for most pets, it is essential for a safe recovery by minimizing infection. This hard cone is our mainstay for avoiding incision infections, because most infections are do to licking! We will do our best to fit your pet with the appropriate cone.
Nobody said you couldn’t have fun with this! There are other variation on the e-collar idea. There are inflatable options and even plush options. The best test is to put something like peanut on your pets leg (before surgery) and see if he or she can reach it with the cone on. If they can, this option won’t work.
The Help ‘Em up Harness
This is a brilliant invention that improves the traditional harness to include a handle over the chest and back. This accessory is particular helpful for large dogs with bilateral knee procedures but truly any dog may benefit from it. *Avoid U-bar in male dogs as it can apply excessive pressure on inner thighs when laying down. * Link to website
You can use the Help Em Up to lift your dog without scooping under, assist with stairs (both helping with weight carriage early on and slowing them down later on). In the first several days, dogs can sleep in the harness. Bring it in and we will put it on your dog after surgery.
If you hate the cone….
Recently there have been several products developed in order to improve recovery from knee surgery. One such product is a sleeve that covers the incision, avoiding the dreaded cone in some cases. Here is an example.
https://www.licksleeve.com
Etsy has similar offering, but they are custom made, so plan ahead and order early. We have clients who have used this and have been very happy. You can pick a fabric that fits your style. This is a local, woman-owned, small business that operates out of Williamsburg, VA. This is our favorite option!!!
Click on the link for the Etsy store. K9 surgery sleeves
Sedation and pain control are essential to a successful recovery from a TPLO or any major orthopedic surgery. We will typically send home a specific sedative that we feel will work best for your pet. But, don’t worry if it doesn’t work perfectly at first. Trazodone, clonidine and acepromazine are a few of our most common choices. We can adjust doses and change or add medications if necessary. Our goal is to make the recovery easier by taking your pet down a few notches but not to put them into a deep sleep for weeks. The sedatives we prescribe can be safely given the whole 10 weeks if helpful. They are NOT addictive.
Trazodone was initially designed to treat depression in people but has since been found to be a better solution to combat insomnia. Dogs do very well on it for anxiety and for sedation and it is inexpensive. Trazodone can facilitate recovery and rest as well as calm the nerves for a vet visit. We recommend giving it the morning of surgery and radiograph recheck at 10 weeks. It may take 90 minutes to work, so give it well ahead of any schedule change like getting in the car so that it has time to work!
Most dogs are able to safely take non-steroidal antiinflammatories (NSAIDs) such as carprofen (Rimadyl, Novox, Carprovet etc.), meloxicam (Metacam), deracoxib (Deramaxx), grapiprant (Galliprant) etc. for several weeks during recovery. This allows a more comfortable return to normal function. Long term, if taken every day, these medications can cause gastrointestinal problems. We will do our best to avoid this but if your dog is having problems while on these medications please let us know. Long term NSAIDs can be given to most dogs as needed long term e.ge. after a long hike or on an extra stiff day. Ideally this would be once to twice weekly. Never give NSAIDs with a steroid as this can cause stomach ulcers and subsequent GI bleeding.
Why medication?
To minimize surgical pain
To minimize arthritic pain
To provide sedation and sanity!
Gabapentin is a pain medication that is extremely safe, even for older or sick dogs. It provides analgesia by focusing on the nerves. It is not an anti-inflammatory or a narcotic/opioid. Its main side effect is fatigue which typically wears off after 7 days of continuous use. It can make older dogs weak in the hindered for the first week, but don’t worry it is just the tired effect and it is short lived. No true dysfunction is happening.
Confinement is a very difficult and daunting task that is further aided by a crate, small room or pen. If your pet is accustomed to a crate, wonderful! If not, there are other options such as a large pen. One of our favorites is pictured here to the left. It can be customized and ordered on amazon at link below.
