TPLO Surgery Aftercare Instructions
A day-by-day recovery guide for tplo surgery: what to expect, how to care for yourself, and when to call. Free to read and print.
What to expect
Home Setup
- •Non-slip surfaces everywhere (yoga mats, rubber-backed rugs)
- •Block access to stairs, furniture, and slippery tile/hardwood
- •Sling or harness to help them walk if needed
- •Crate or small room for confinement
TPLO Surgery recovery, day by day
Strict Rest
- Strict crate or confined room rest. No jumping, running, or stairs.
- Help your pet stand and go outside on a leash for bathroom breaks only
- Ice the surgical area 10-15 min, 3x daily (with a thin towel barrier)
- Give pain medication BEFORE it wears off to stay ahead of pain
Incision Care
- Check incision twice daily for swelling, redness, or discharge
- E-collar must stay on at ALL times to prevent licking
- Slight swelling of the leg is expected for 3-5 days
Controlled Movement
- Short, slow leash walks (5 minutes, 3x daily) starting week 2
- Continue ice therapy as needed for swelling
- Passive range-of-motion exercises as shown by your vet
- Suture check at 10-14 days
Rehabilitation
- Gradually increase walk duration: 10 min at week 4, 15 min at week 6, 20 min at week 8
- No off-leash activity, running, or jumping for 12 weeks minimum
- Physical therapy exercises as prescribed (swimming, controlled walking)
- Recheck X-rays at 8 weeks to confirm bone healing
When to call your provider or 911
- •Excessive bleeding from the incision that doesn't stop
- •Incision opens, separates, or has pus/foul odor
- •Your pet is extremely lethargic or unresponsive
- •Persistent vomiting or diarrhea for more than 12 hours
- •Difficulty breathing or blue/pale gums
- •Refusal to eat or drink for more than 24 hours after surgery
- •Collapse or inability to stand
When in doubt, call your clinic. For a medical emergency, call 911.
Recovery milestones
- Day 14
Incision typically healed
Incision typically closed, sutures removed, though healing time varies
- Day 21
Toe-touching
Consistently using the limb when walking
- Day 56
Recheck X-rays
Bone healing confirmed on radiographs
- Day 14
Expected return to normal activity
Cleared for off-leash activity
For clinics
Stop photocopying aftercare sheets.
QR Rx sends this exact tplo surgery recovery plan to every patient, branded to your practice, opened by a QR code. It checks in automatically, answers post-op questions, asks for a review at the right moment, and brings patients back for their next visit. The aftercare you already owe every patient, doing the work of keeping them.
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