TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) is the gold standard surgery for cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs. Recovery welfare management is critical for good outcomes.
Post-TPLO recovery is a significant welfare challenge — dogs must be confined and activity-restricted for weeks despite often feeling physically capable of more movement as pain resolves. Pain management in the immediate post-operative period requires multimodal analgesia (NSAIDs, gabapentin, opioids if needed). Hydrotherapy from week 3-4 accelerates muscle rebuilding and reduces the psychological burden of strict rest. Insufficient activity restriction risks implant failure and delayed healing; appropriate restriction, while difficult to enforce, is the welfare-optimizing strategy.