hmm
I am at the 3rd TPLO.. on 2 dogs...
Snatch just had his second TPLO (2nd knee) on September 21st.
So he is a little more than 3 weeks post surgery.
So let me think...
*Ice packs are great. They recommend 2 days ice then 3 days heat. Heat actually doesn't work good with Snatch, so I only do ice. (Whatever works with your baby)
*Touch. Don't be afraid to touch the leg. Massage going up to help bruising/swelling/hemathoma. Snatch looooves when I massage his hip. I think his hip gets sore because he babies his knee...
*Physical therapy. At 2 weeks post surgery, you can start range of motion exercises and 5 minutes walks. At 4 weeks, you can start physical therapy.
*Range of motion exercises are important. Streching and bending. See what the physical therapist tells you to do
Oh... also:
*pro collar - or any blow up ecollar (instead of the lamp shade). Snatch loves his. He uses it as a pillow
and it doesn't get stuck on furniture
*Trim his nails. He will walk wayyyyyy less and his nails may grow super fast. Grown nails are harder to walk on
*Sliced american cheese to hide the pills
*Plain non fat yogurt. The meds tends to mess up Snatch's tummy. Also antacid (Pepcid AC 20mg) 1 pill twice a day to help his tummy with the Rymadyl.
*First night home. UGH! Good luck! Snatch kept waking up. I think it's the IV during the surgery but major pee drama! He pee'd his bed. Then woke me up several time during the night to go pee.
*Yoga mats. Got cheap ones at Ross/Marshall/TJ Maxx. Even target has $9 ones. I put yoga mats on my floors (sleek surface)
*I put the dog beds in my room at night so he doesn't have to stay crated at night.
*I make sure I put the baby gate on my bed so he doesn't jump on it...
Sorry for the random list..
Just make sure he stays calm. it's the hardest. No pouncing. No stairs of course. ... Let me know if you have more questions