Postoperative Guidance
Helping your pet recover safely and comfortably after surgery.
Recovery is an important part of your pet's surgical care. Following the instructions provided by the surgical team can help support healing and provide a clear path from surgery through follow-up care. Postoperative instructions are specific to your pet, procedure, and recovery needs.
Recovery Care
The right care continues after your pet leaves the hospital.
Your pet’s recovery plan will depend on the procedure performed and your pet’s individual condition. The surgical team will provide instructions for care at home, including activity, medications, incision monitoring, and follow-up.
Important parts of postoperative care may include:
- Following activity restrictions
- Monitoring the incision or surgical site
- Giving medications as directed
- Following feeding and care instructions
- Attending recommended recheck appointments
- Following rehabilitation or recovery recommendations when applicable
- Contacting the veterinary team if concerns arise
After Surgery
Know what to expect when your pet comes home.
Follow Discharge Instructions
Your pet's discharge instructions are specific to the procedure and should be followed carefully.
Restrict Activity
Follow the activity restrictions provided by the surgical team.
Monitor the Surgical Site
Check the incision or surgical site as instructed and watch for changes that concern you.
Give Medications as Directed
Administer medications according to the instructions provided by the veterinary team.
Keep Follow-Up Appointments
Recheck appointments allow the veterinary team to evaluate recovery and determine whether additional follow-up is needed.
Is TPLO Right for Your Pet?
Surgical candidacy is individual.
TPLO & Orthopedic Surgery
Recovery typically involves controlled activity, incision monitoring, and follow-up according to the surgical team's instructions.
Soft Tissue Surgery
Recovery depends on the specific procedure and the tissues involved. Follow the discharge instructions provided for your pet.
Neurologic Surgery
Neurologic procedures may require specific activity and movement restrictions. Follow the surgical team's instructions closely.
Minimally Invasive Procedures
Recovery depends on the procedure performed and the individual patient. Follow the instructions provided at discharge.
PRP Therapy
PRP is minimally invasive, but recovery recommendations depend on the condition being treated and whether PRP was performed alongside another procedure.
Activity & Exercise
Controlled activity is an important part of recovery.
Your pet may need restrictions on running, jumping, stairs, playing, or other activities during recovery.
Controlled Activity
Activity may need to be restricted during healing.
Incision Monitoring
Owners may need to monitor the surgical site and follow incision-care instructions.
Follow-Up
Follow-up examinations and diagnostic imaging may be recommended when indicated.
Important: Procedure-specific postoperative instructions from the surgical team should take priority over general website information.
When Surgery May Help
When should your pet be evaluated for orthopedic surgery?
Orthopedic surgery may be considered when a pet has a condition affecting the bones, joints, or structures responsible for normal movement and conservative management or other treatment options may not provide the desired outcome.
Joint Problems
Conditions affecting the normal function or stability of a joint.
Developmental Conditions
Orthopedic abnormalities that may benefit from surgical intervention.
Ligament Injuries
Injuries such as cranial cruciate ligament disease that can affect stifle stability.
Limb Problems
Conditions affecting the alignment, structure, or function of a limb.
Fractures
Bone injuries that may require surgical stabilization or repair.
Complex Orthopedic Cases
Cases requiring specialized surgical evaluation and planning.
Surgical Evaluation
Every orthopedic case starts with the individual patient.
There is no single surgical approach that is appropriate for every orthopedic condition. Evaluation helps the surgical team understand the patient’s condition and determine the appropriate next step.
01
Review
The patient’s history, clinical signs, and existing diagnostic information are reviewed.
02
Evaluation
The orthopedic condition and its effect on mobility are assessed.
03
Surgical Planning
When surgery is appropriate, the procedure and treatment approach are discussed.
04
Recovery Planning
Postoperative restrictions, follow-up, and recovery expectations are considered.
Recovery
The procedure is only one part of orthopedic care.
Recovery is an important part of orthopedic surgery. The appropriate postoperative plan depends on the procedure performed, the patient’s condition, and how healing progresses.
- Leash walks
- Running
- Jumping
- Stairs
- Playing with other pets
- Off-leash activity
- Returning to normal exercise
Do not increase your pet’s activity beyond the recommended level unless instructed by the veterinary team.
Incision, Medication & Follow-Up Care
Important parts of the recovery process.
Incision Care
Monitor the incision as instructed and prevent your pet from licking, chewing, or interfering with the surgical area. Contact your veterinary team if you have concerns about changes to the incision or surgical site. Do not apply products to the incision unless specifically instructed to do so by your veterinary team.
Follow-Up Care
Recovery doesn't end when your pet goes home. Follow-up may include recheck examinations, incision evaluation, additional imaging, activity progression, rehabilitation recommendations, or additional diagnostic testing.
Medications
Give medications exactly as directed. Follow the instructions for medication name, dose, frequency, duration, and administration. If you have questions about a medication or your pet has difficulty taking it, contact the veterinary team for guidance.
When to Contact Your Veterinary Team
Contact your veterinary team if you are concerned about the incision, pain or discomfort, medication administration, appetite or eating, activity or mobility, recovery progress, or other unexpected changes. For urgent or after-hours concerns, contact your regular veterinarian or a local emergency clinic.
Veterinary Professionals
Keep the referring veterinary team connected.
Small Animal Surgical Services works with referring veterinarians throughout the patient’s surgical journey.
Veterinary professionals can call 207-481-0191 to discuss a case.
Recovery at a Glance
The essentials of postoperative care.
Orthopedic surgery may be considered when a pet has a condition affecting the bones, joints, or structures responsible for normal movement and conservative management or other treatment options may not provide the desired outcome.
Discharge
Review your pet's postoperative instructions before leaving the practice.
Incision
Monitor the surgical site as directed.
Activity
Follow all recommended activity restrictions.
Rechecks
Attend recommended follow-up appointments.
Medications
Give medications according to the prescribed instructions.
Communication
Contact the veterinary team with questions or concerns.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common questions about postoperative care.
How long will my pet need to recover?
Recovery time varies depending on the procedure and the individual patient. Your surgical team will provide procedure-specific recovery instructions.
Can my pet run or play after surgery?
Activity restrictions depend on the procedure. Follow the specific instructions provided by the surgical team and do not return your pet to normal activity until advised.
How should I care for the incision?
Monitor the surgical site as instructed and prevent your pet from licking, chewing, or interfering with it. Follow the specific incision-care instructions provided at discharge.
What should I do if my pet will not take medication?
Contact your veterinary team for guidance if your pet has difficulty taking a prescribed medication or if you have questions about its administration.
When should my pet return for a recheck?
Follow the recheck schedule provided by the surgical team. Timing varies depending on the procedure and individual recovery.
What if I am concerned about my pet's recovery?
Contact the veterinary team if you have concerns. For urgent or after-hours situations, contact your regular veterinarian or local emergency clinic.
Can I follow general postoperative advice from the website instead of my discharge instructions?
No. General website information should not replace the instructions provided specifically for your pet. Patient-specific postoperative instructions take priority.
Will my regular veterinarian be involved after surgery?
SASS works with referring veterinary professionals to help maintain continuity of care throughout the patient's surgical journey.
Important Reminder
Every patient recovers differently.
The information on this page is intended as general postoperative guidance. Your pet’s specific discharge instructions, activity restrictions, medication instructions, and follow-up recommendations should always take priority.
If you are unsure about any part of your pet’s recovery, contact your veterinary team.
Specialty Surgical Consultation
When you need experienced guidance for your pet's surgical care, start with a conversation.
Proudly serving all of Maine
From Portland north to the Maine border, with particular focus on Mid-Coast and Southern Maine communities. Referring practices statewide are welcome.