Why Is My Dog Jumped After TPLO Surgery?

In this research you will know the answer to the query “Why Is My Dog Jumped After TPLO Surgery?“.

All sorts of strange and wonderful injuries can occur to dogs. One major one is torn CCL – similar to the ACL in humans. 

There is a lot at stake here and undergoing surgery to fix the damage is also a big deal. 

You will have to rest your pup for about a month after which you can gradually start exercising her again. 

When he jumps or horses around too early what happens? My dog jumped on couch after tplo surgery Will he undo everything your vet has done for him? We’ll find out.

What is TPLO dog surgery?

TPLO surgery is short for Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy. 

In ordinary dog language it means that the ligaments holding the knee together in the hind leg of your pup snapped. 

To fix this your vet will do surgery to change how the knee looks. This will allow your pup to walk again despite having torn his ligament.

Note: this ligament is known as the cranial cruciate ligament or CCL. 

The femur joins the tibia in your pups hind leg to the bone above the knee (femur). 

This results in your pup becoming lame and probably in considerable pain.

The shin bone or tibial plateau of dogs is not at right angles with the ground when it bears maximum weight. 

Rather it has a slight slant. 

Your poor Rover can no longer walk the way he used to if the tendon that helps spread the load snaps. 

The shin bone “slips” when he puts his weight on that leg making it seem as though his knee is giving way.

The vet shaves a bit off the end of the bone during TPLO surgery changing its angle with the floor. 

Despite the damage to the ligament this stabilizes Rovers knee allowing him to walk more efficiently.

Your veterinarian will attach a small metal plate to the bone to strengthen the repair. 

It attaches to the bone with small screws just like in human surgery and is designed specifically for these types of repairs.

How long after the surgery is it before a dog can jump?

A dog would not be able to exercise during the week-long recovery period following TPLO surgery. 

All you need to do is let him out to go potty. 

He’ll go to the vet regularly during this time who will recommend a program for reintroducing exercise. 

Your dogs recovery depends on how well they are recovering and it varies from dog to dog. 

Unfortunately there are no set rules regarding when your dog will be able to jump again after TPLO surgery.

Your vet will likely recommend hydrotherapy once your pup is strong enough. 

You can use this method to retrain your pups muscles without putting too much stress on his joints.

Why do dogs need TPLO surgery? Why Is My Dog Jumped After TPLO Surgery?

TPLO surgery primarily repairs injuries caused by CCL ruptures (thats cranial cruciate ligament rupture – like me you probably Googled this). 

Because this surgery is quite extensive and there are many things that could go wrong your veterinarian will not recommend it lightly. 

Thus if your dog is persistently lame and his knee joints are acting up the benefits of TPLO surgery would probably outweigh the risks. 

Your veterinarian would likely give it a try in this case.

CCLs are similar to ACLs in humans. 

Many dogs suffer from damage to that ligament which makes it like the proverbial sitting duck.

There are many factors that increase the likelihood of injury but some of them can be avoided or at least mitigated.

Excessive weight gain puts significant strain on your pups knee joints so obesity ranks fairly high on the list. 

A dog who is overweight will likely suffer a CCL injury if he jumps or pulls off quickly when chasing a ball. 

A healthy lifestyle puts your dog miles ahead in terms of health and risk management.

Weekend warriors are also present. 

We all know those pups who exercise a lot over the weekend then what happens during the week is that they go back to the couch. 

Their bodies were not designed to deal with stop-start behavior just like ours. Its essential to exercise continuously consistently – if you want to avoid injury gradually increase your activity level. 

Exercise should not shock your dogs body – instead help him to be consistent with it.

Lets say your dog has an injury to the CCL of one leg. 

Theres a high probability that he’ll suffer a similar injury in the opposite leg as well. 

He feels as if his body is saying “Okay fine.”. “You can have the other one too.” Prevention is the best medicine.

In addition dogs with arthritis and osteoporosis are more likely to sustain severe CCL injuries since their joints are already weak due to these conditions.

An injury to the CCL usually has warning signs before it becomes severe. 

It is common for a pups knee joint to become strained over time resulting in increasing lameness especially after physical exertion. 

You could prevent serious injuries if you detect this early and get assistance from the vet. 

In most cases lifestyle changes will be necessary to accommodate the pups risk of CCL injury. 

What if you do not pick this up? If that happens he could suffer serious injuries from a seemingly insignificant event such as a slight misstep or a gentle jump off the porch.

How should you protect/ confine your dog after TPLO surgery?

A TPLO is major surgery and your dog will need weeks to recover. 

The injured leg of your dog may not be able to bear weight for up to three weeks. 

Even if the patient is able to bear weight on the leg he should not do so for the first eight weeks following surgery. 

Hopefully Rover will be able to heal properly during this time. 

You might have to put your dog in a kennel for a while because dogs love exercise and Rover might become bored and try to chase the mailman a squirrel or even his own tail. 

Crates lined with clean bedding are generally a good option depending on your pups temperament and condition.

When you take Rover to the potty keep him on a leash or harness to prevent him from getting into mischief. 

I have to restrain him sometimes or he will jump run and play.

Dogs will lick and bite constantly at the wound left after the operation since the wound is likely to itch as it heals. 

It may cause the stitches to come out or even open up the wound completely. Needless to say that does not help the wound heal. 

Therefore if your dog licks at his wound he may need a cone collar to prevent him from reaching it. 

The collar might make him look sheepish and he may have difficulty reaching his bowl without it bumping but the risk of ripped stitches is much greater. 

The poor Rover.

What are the exercise restrictions after TPLO?

As mentioned previously your pup can not (and should not) bear weight on his injured leg for at least three weeks following surgery. 

Its a long time for a dog confined to a small space. Unfortunately three weeks is not the end of it. 

During the first eight weeks following surgery your pups exercise should be severely limited to ensure adequate recovery. 

Your veterinarian will assess your pup and advise you when and how to reintroduce exercise. 

This is where hydrotherapy can help since it allows your pups muscles to move in their full range of motion without strain from weight-bearing.

You’ll probably need to do some exercises with Rover to retrain his muscles which your vet will probably prescribe.

What is the success rate of TPLO surgery?

TPLO surgery has an extremely high success rate of 90% despite its considerable risks. 

Therefore its often recommended for pets that are large or athletic.

What are the symptoms of TPLO surgery failing?

Sometimes TPLO surgeries go wrong so recognizing the warning signs as soon as possible is crucial. But how can you recognize them? 

You will notice that your pup isnot healing properly. In the weeks following surgery he will exhibit signs of pain. He also won’t be able to bear weight on the injured leg.

The pup may show signs of severe illness including vomiting disorientation excessive drooling and even fainting in severe cases where infection sets in.

Talk to your veterinarian if you notice any of the above signs or if you’re concerned that your pups recovery isnot going smoothly. I’d rather be on the safe side here.

Are any breeds more at risk of CCL injuries than other breeds?

Unfortunately the breed of your dog could make him more susceptible to (CCL) injuries. 

Dogs of the Labrador Newfoundland Rottweiler German Shepherd and Golden Retriever breeds are especially at risk. 

It reads like a list of dogs most likely to suffer from arthritis or osteoporosis based on their genetic makeup. I apologize.

Conclusion

The TPLO surgery is a big deal and you will have to sacrifice a lot to nurse your pup back to health but the success rate is high. 

To keep your pup from jumping and playing you would need to keep him under lock and key for a few weeks. 

Physical activity except for going potty outside should be avoided since it could damage the affected area irreparably. 

You would not regret it since your pup will likely heal well and be back to his old self before you know it.

If you want to read more about dogs health tips read here: Dog Health Tips and Tricks.

Why Is My Dog Jumped After TPLO Surgery? (Watch Video)