Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair

Share this post:

• Your pet may be weak after surgery. Do not let him/her get over active.
• Make sure the sleeping area is clean, warm and free of draughts.
• Follow all labelled instructions for medication dispensed carefully.
• Check the area around the incision daily for redness, swelling or drainage of fluid. Please inform us if this occurs.
• Try to prevent your pet from licking or chewing on the wound. If this is difficult to do you might want to provide a physical barrier by placing a buster collar around the head.
• We cannot be held responsible for sutures removed by the patient or other pets.
• Routine check-up is 3 days post-surgery.
• Sutures are removed 14 days post-surgery.

Recovery and rehabilitation Process

Phase 1: Day 0-30

Your pet should not be permitted to run or jump, or have free access to stairs, furniture, the yard or other pets. They should be confined to a crate whenever not supervised. Please encourage them to take multiple (3-5), short (+-3min), very slow walks on a short lead for fresh air and to relieve themselves. During these walks, controlled use of the leg should be encouraged.

Please do passive range of motion exercises for 3-5min, 3 times per day. We also encourage
you to get in touch with a trained physiotherapist during this phase.

• Michelle Dick (Physiotherapist): 061 582 7525
• Physio 4 Paws: 083 283 5393
• Doggy Paddle (Hydrotherapy): 011 708 6628
• Happy Feet Animal Physiotherapy: 082 793 2942

During phase 1, you should start noticing progressive improvement of weight-bearing on the leg. Any abrupt worsening of limb use usually indicates excessive activity and associated inflammation.

Please return for a check-up in 3-4 days.

Phase 2: Day 31-60

Your pet is not permitted to run or jump, or have free access to stairs, furniture, the yard or other pets. They should be confined to a crate whenever they are not supervised. Daily walks should still be performed at a slow pace and on a short leash, but during this phase there is a slow and methodical increase in duration of the walks. Increase the duration of the walks by 5 minutes each week.

Any abrupt worsening of limb use likely indicates excessive activity and associated inflammation. If this happens and we do not detect any major problems, you will be encouraged to reduce the duration of the walks to the previously tolerated length for 1-2 weeks before attempting to increase the duration again.

Structured physiotherapy is continued in this phase.

Phase 3: Day 61-120

Our goal is to continue muscular strengthening, with the aim of transitioning toward a normal pet
lifestyle.

Please do not rush this phase. They should still be confined when unsupervised in order to avoid activities which may disrupt the repair. The daily leash walks are continued but gradual increase in pace and leash length are permitted. Once again, look for changes in limb use to indicate excessive activity.

Towards the end of phase 3, they are permitted small amounts of time off the leash, but under close supervision. These sessions are gradually increase over time as permitted. You should not anticipate a lifestyle of fully unsupervised activity, chasing balls, tug games etc. for 4-6 months after surgery.

Thank you for trusting us with your pet's care.