Client Take Home / Discharge Instructions
	
	Owner compliance is very important following the surgery because the dog must 
have restricted activity.  The dog should be kept inside under strict owner supervision.  
Try to avoid uncarpeted areas in the house as the dog could slip and damage the repaired 
joints.  The dogÕs play should be restricted and when the owner leaves the home, the dog 
should be kenneled.  When taken outside the dog should be walked on a leash using a 
pinch collar to avoid the dog from pulling and putting strain on the hip joints.  Restricted 
activity should continue until follow-up radiographs indicate proper bone healing.  The 
dog will be put on antibiotics for 2 weeks following surgery.  If the owner cannot restrain 
the dog and limit its activity a tranquilizer will be prescribed.
	Some other suggestions to aid in the post surgical healing are to reduce the 
amount of food the dog is normally given until normal activities can resume. Do not feed 
free choice anymore.  After healing has occurred maintain optimal body weight for the 
dog by restricting her daily food intake. This will keep extra weight off her joints which 
could be harmful to her.  An ovariohysterectomy should be performed to avoid pregnancy 
which will also add extra weight on her joints.  If the dog is in any kind of pain at home 
notify the clinic and we will prescribe an analgesic to make the dog more comfortable. 
	The dog should be brought back to the clinic in 2 weeks for suture removal and a 
post operative examination.  The dog is brought back in 8 weeks to have radiographs 
taken to confirm bone healing.  The dog should return to a normal state (ie: normal gait, 
normal weight bearing, etc.) by 12 to 16 weeks.  Radiographs should be taken again at 
this point for reevaluation.  The dog should be examined yearly to show the maintenance 
of good function and activity.