Orthopedic surgery in dogs — for cruciate ligament repair, hip replacement, and fracture fixation — requires careful recovery management to optimize welfare and surgical outcomes.
Orthopedic surgery recovery is one of the most demanding welfare management challenges for dog owners. The immediate post-operative period involves significant pain that requires appropriate multimodal analgesia. The subsequent weeks of restricted activity — leash-only walks, no jumping, no running — are behaviorally frustrating for active dogs and require consistent management. Physiotherapy and hydrotherapy provide welfare benefit by accelerating recovery, maintaining muscle mass, and providing positive physical engagement during the restricted period. The welfare investment in appropriate post-operative care directly affects the quality and permanence of surgical outcomes.