Get ready for surgery and coming home
Set up a safe recovery space, plan help at home and review the instructions from your surgery team.
Plan for coming homePrepare for your consultation
Have your pet’s medication list and any existing records, test results or imaging available. Note the changes you have seen and the questions most important to you.
Questions you may want to ask
Your dog's discharge instructions and the surgery team's advice take priority over this general guide.
Plan your home recovery
First few days: plan help now
- Someone available: arrange help with medicines, toilet trips and comfort checks.
- A safe space: prepare a quiet, non-slip area away from furniture, stairs and other pets.
- Getting home: arrange a helper if needed and ask the team to show a safe car transfer for your dog.
Prepare the house
Keep the recovery area quiet, non-slip and free of obstacles before your dog comes home and during early recovery.
- Non-slip flooring: Use runners, mats, carpet scraps, yoga mats, stall mats, or foam mats where your dog will walk.
- Confinement area: Choose a crate or small gated room where the dog can rest without other pets jumping or playing.
- Short leash kit: Put the leash on before opening doors. Early walks are for toileting and controlled movement only.
- Food, water, sling: Elevated dishes, a sling or belly support if needed, and small treats make the first week easier.
- Block furniture and stairs: Block beds, couches, vehicles, and stairs unless the stairs are unavoidable and assisted.
- Cone or collar: The cone protects the incision. Licking can set recovery back, so it stays on unless directed otherwise.
- Plan the tunnel squat space: Choose a hallway, wall and couch, or safe barriers that can make a narrow space. Your dog will choose the easiest way to sit if there is room. The tunnel changes the space so the surgical leg has to help, without you pulling or pushing the leg.
Plan supervision and a calm routine
How long should someone stay with your dog after TPLO?
For the first few days, arrange someone to give medicines, help with toilet trips, check comfort and prevent licking or unsafe movement. How much help your dog needs will depend on how they are coping.
Before your dog is left alone, they should be settled in a secure, non-slip recovery area where they cannot reach furniture, stairs, other pets, or anything that encourages jumping. The medication and toileting schedule still needs to be followed. If your dog cannot stand or toilet safely, repeatedly tries to escape, panics when confined, or cannot settle, arrange help and contact the hospital for individual guidance.
Keeping an active dog calm
Use a small recovery area and a predictable routine. Keep toileting walks short and controlled. Quiet activities that can be done lying down—such as a safe chew, lick mat, food puzzle, or simple settle-and-reward task—may help if they suit your dog and diet.
Reduce triggers such as windows, visitors, doorbells, rough play, and excited greetings. If the home setup is not enough, contact the surgical team. Calming medication needs to suit your dog; do not change a dose or schedule without veterinary direction.