Post-surgery exercises and functional recovery
Opposite Leg Lift Exercises
When performed daily, this exercise will help your pet build confidence bearing weight on their surgery limb.
What it is:
With your pet standing on a flat, non-slip surface, gently lift the opposite (non-surgery) limb off the ground for ~5-10 seconds to encourage them to bear weight on their surgery limb. Perform 10 repetitions, three times daily.
What it isn’t:
Making your pet walk, jump or side step because they feel off balance
When it can begin:
One week after surgery
Controlled Leash Walks
This will be the mainstay of your pet’s at home physiotherapy program.
What it is:
These walks are on a short (3-6 foot) leash, with your pet by your side. Performed 3-5 times daily for the time duration notated in the recovery expectations guide.
What it isn’t:
This is not a group walk on an extendable leash, or off leash in the backyard.
When it can begin:
Two weeks after surgery as long as your pet's incision is healed
Sit to Stand Exercises
This will improve your pet’s joint range of motion and strength.
What it is:
It is a “dog-squat” – Your pet should sit and stand for 10-15 repetitions, three times daily. They tend to use their non-surgery leg to do most the work, so it’s helpful to perform this exercise with their surgery leg next to a wall to get them to used it.
What it isn’t:
Jumping up and down for food or treats
When it can begin:
One week after surgery
Swimming Exercises
Water therapy and swimming are excellent physiotherapy for your pet to maintain muscle mass and joint range of motion.
What it is:
Controlled and assisted entry in and out of water, with 5-10 minutes of walking in shallow water or “doggy paddling” in shallow water. Perform once or twice daily. It is encouraged to have this exercise supervised by a certified veterinary
physiotherapist.
What it isn’t:
Running, jumping, slipping on wet surfaces or any rough play
When it can begin:
Six weeks after surgery if supervised by a certified veterinary physiotherapist.
Tug-of-War Exercises
This is an exercise that will be performed after your pet’s eight week checkup to improve their strength and agility.
What it is:
Use a toy that has elastic or bungee like stretch and play tug-of-war for 5 minutes, two or three times daily.
What it isn’t:
Pulling, shaking or using any type of motion that causes a “jolting” impact that could injure your pet’s neck.
When it can begin:
Eight weeks after surgery
Resistance Training in Sand or Snow
Similar to water therapy, resistance training in sand or snow can be a great way to improve your pet’s muscle mass and joint range of motion.
What it is:
Slow and controlled walks on a leash for 10-15 minutes once or twice daily on flat beach sand or medium-depth snow (half way up your pet’s leg).
What it isn’t:
Off-leash activity at the beach or in the snow-covered yard.
When it can begin:
Eight weeks after surgery
Abnormal Terrain and Hiking
Once your pet is comfortable going for full-length walks, then introducing walks on non-flat surfaces will help build their supporting and stabilizing muscles.
What it is:
Gradually introduce leash walking on a non-flat surface first by going up and down a shallow-grade hill for 5-10 minutes. Hiking on a well-groomed hiking trail may begin once your pet is able to walk up and down their shallow-grade hill for 15-20 minutes without stiffness the following day.
What it isn’t:
Running or hiking off-leash or on an ungroomed trail.
When it can begin:
Eight weeks after surgery and after your pet is comfortable going for unlimited-duration leash walks on flat surfaces.