Physical Therapy
After your dog has healed from orthopedic/joint surgery, which is usually between 4 and 8 weeks and determined with a postop radiograph, you can start your dog on a walking program as follows: take your pet on an approximately five minute walk once or twice daily for one week. Then increase to a 10 minute walk the second week, then 15 minutes the third week and so on until the walk is approximately 30 minutes in six weeks. Continue to keep your pet off stairs and from jumping on furniture or in and out of the car/truck for the next six weeks. It is acceptable for your pet to walk around the house at a slow pace at this time. No running until all the leash walks are completed.
Certain dogs will benefit from physical therapy such as hydrotherapy by a animal physical therapist. Check the Links page for suggestions.