🩺 Post-Surgery Recovery Checklist

For orthopedic and other major procedures — home prep, the first 48 hours, and the full activity-restriction period through recheck imaging. Check items off as you go; your progress saves automatically on this device.

⚠️ Your vet's discharge instructions always take priority over this checklist. Surgery type and individual dogs vary enormously — use this as a general framework, not a replacement for your vet's specific plan.
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Before Surgery: Home Prep

First 48 Hours

Ongoing Activity Restriction (Weeks 1-8+, Per Your Vet's Timeline)

Returning to Normal Activity

⚕️ This checklist is a general framework and not a substitute for your veterinarian's specific discharge instructions, which vary by surgery type and individual dog. It does not cover medication or dosing — follow your vet's prescribed plan exactly.

This is for major/orthopedic recovery — for spay or neuter specifically → Spay/Neuter Recovery Timeline

Tracking day-to-day comfort and well-being? → Dog Quality of Life Calculator

Recovering dog getting into senior territory? → Senior Pet Care Checklist

Frequently Asked Questions

How is this different from spay/neuter recovery?

Spay and neuter recovery is typically 10-14 days with fairly light activity restriction. Major orthopedic surgeries like TPLO or other cranial cruciate ligament (CCL/ACL) repairs involve a completely different scale of recovery — commonly 8-12 weeks of strict activity restriction, since the surgery involves cutting and stabilizing bone that needs time to heal, not just soft tissue.

What is the most common mistake during orthopedic recovery?

Loosening restrictions once a dog starts acting like their normal self again — often around weeks 3-6, well before the bone has actually finished healing. Dogs frequently feel better long before the surgical site is fully healed, and increased activity at that stage is one of the most common causes of re-injury or implant failure. The behavior improving is not the same as the bone healing; only your vet's follow-up imaging can confirm that.

Why does food need to be reduced during recovery?

A dog on strict activity restriction is burning meaningfully fewer calories than usual, so keeping portions the same can lead to weight gain during recovery — and extra weight puts more strain on a joint or bone that's already healing. Many vets recommend cutting food intake by roughly a third to half during the confinement period; ask your vet for a specific target for your dog.

Do I need to separate my recovering dog from other pets in the house?

Yes, generally. Even calm, friendly play can involve sudden movements, jumping, or jostling that risk the surgical site, and a recovering dog often can't reliably self-regulate that risk. Keeping pets in separate spaces or on separate schedules until your vet clears more normal interaction is the safer default.

How long does full recovery from TPLO or similar surgery take?

The strict confinement period is commonly 8-12 weeks, confirmed by recheck X-rays showing the bone has healed. Full muscle mass and a complete return to normal activity can take longer still, sometimes up to 6 months, especially in larger or more active dogs, or dogs who had muscle loss before surgery. Your vet's specific timeline for your dog's case always takes priority over general ranges.

What are warning signs I should call my vet about during recovery?

A sudden yelp or cry, a new or worsening limp, swelling that's increasing rather than settling, discharge, redness, or odor at the incision, or your dog suddenly refusing to bear any weight on the leg all warrant a call. Don't wait for the next scheduled recheck if something changes acutely — these are exactly the signs that catch a developing problem early.