Tips for your Dog’s Knee or Hip

Surgery Recovery*

• Schedule the surgery for a Thursday or Friday, so you'll have a weekend to adjust to the recovery process.   • Two people should pick up a dog from the hospital. One to drive, and one to sit with the dog to keep them quiet and prevent them from standing during the ride home. • GingerLead Dog Support & Rehabilitation Harnesses provide support, control and comfort. Much easier than using a towel or a flimsy sling. • E-Collar or E-Collar Alternative so your dog cannot lick the incision (if one is not provided by your veterinarian). • A pen or crate to restrict your dog's activity. • Runners with rubber backing for any hardwood, tile or non-carpeted floors that a dog walks on during the recovery period. • Dog booties or children socks with rubber traction can be used instead of runners if you can get your dog to keep them on. • A Kong (or a similar toy) filled with fat free yogurt and then frozen. Since a dog's activity will be restricted, they will build up energy. A dog may spend 30-60 minutes working the frozen yogurt from the Kong, which provides good mental stimulation. Fat free yogurt will prevent an inactive dog from gaining too much weight. An old blanket or towel should help prevent the yogurt from getting on your floor. • Glucosamine/Chondroitin or other joint supplements. • If your dog is reactive to the doorbell, disable it and/or put a sign up asking people to call you instead of ringing the doorbell. This will help prevent your dog from getting excited when someone is at the door. • Cover windows if your dog gets excited by things seen through the window. • If you have multiple dogs, a baby gate will help keep them apart so they do not play. • Calming music to drown out any noise that may excite your dog.

Professional Therapies

• Laser Therapy • Rehabilitation/Physical Therapy • Underwater Treadmill • Acupuncture • Massage * These are just suggestions. Any instructions from your veterinarian for your dog's specific condition should always take precedence.