While we proudly partner with the Bowling Green Veterinary Emergency Clinic, we operate as an independent practice. This allows us to prioritize your pet’s health with expert care and transparent, affordable pricing that avoids the unnecessary billing often found in corporate settings.

Please Note: We are a specialty surgery center and do not perform routine spay/neuters. If you need spay/neuter services, please contact a primary care veterinarian in your area.

What to expect in the first 48 hours after orthopedic surgery

by | Nov 6, 2025 | Blog

Surgery of any kind is stressful for you and your pet, so let’s go through the first 48 hours on what to expect. Hopefully this will help you and your pet get through it as painlessly as possible. Be sure to give all medications according to the directions and follow all discharge instructions. This will help the recovery go smoother for both you and your pet.

  1. When you arrive to pick up your pet after surgery you may notice your pet seems to be a little groggy or wobbly. This is due to the medications that were given before, during and after surgery. This will wear off throughout the day. Your pet will also have a lick sleeve that protects the incision. Please keep this dry, the lick sleeve is somewhat water repellent, If it gets heavily soiled or wet, please take off wash and dry well. PLEASE KEEP THIS ON AT ALL TIMES (other than washing or drying)
  2. Your surgeon will have medications to go home with your pet along with detailed discharge instructions. Please be sure to look over your medications and discharge instructions to familiarize yourself with what medications you have and what you will be expected to do to get your pet on the fastest route to healing. LEASH CONTROLLED WALKS TO GO POTTY (NOTHING MORE) ARE CRITICAL DURING THE NEXT 8 WEEKS. NO FLEXI LEADS, NO TURN OUTS TO THE BACK YARD TO RUN, NO RUNNING AT ALL, JUMPING OR GOING UP AND DOWN THE STAIRS AND NO PLAYING WITH OTHER PETS. These mistakes can result in implant failure or complications that could require additional surgery.
  3. Your pet may or may not be ready to eat or drink when they first get home.  Even though your pet has had something for nausea, we still recommend offering small amounts of water initially. (about an hour after you get them home) if your pet is able to keep water down for an hour then feel free to offer them a little more. If after another hour has passed and no vomiting has occurred, you are free to leave their water bowl down. You can also offer half of their normal meal.
  4. The first 24 hours after surgery, start by making sure your pet eats before giving any medications. Since there is usually an anti-inflammatory and antibiotic sent home with your pet, we don’t want to risk GI upsets, so eating is crucial. DO NOT GIVE THE ANTI INFLAMMATORY UNTIL THE PET HAS EATEN.
  5. (PLEASE NOTE) Your pet was given pain medications prior to surgery, it can slow down the digestive tract, so bowel movements are not a huge concern for the first 24-72 hours. You can mix some canned pumpkin in food if your pet has not had a BM after the 3rd day or if your pet seems uncomfortable.
  6. Your pet has also been sent home with a sedative (4-week course) since they will need to be calm and quiet while they are healing.  Your pet will also be sent home additional pain medication (5 days)
  7. You should already have a quiet room setup with a CRATE or a SMALL confined area with no steps, furniture or windows to keep your pet in during this 8-week recovery time. Your pet should stay in their room anytime they are left alone, or you are gone to work. DO NOT LET YOUR PET HAVE FULL RUN OF THE HOUSE.
  8. If your pet is used to laying on the couch with you at night while watching T.V. that’s fine, you will just need to lift them up and down. If you sleep on another floor, they can walk up the stairs slowly to go to bed and can come down slowly in the morning. JUST REMEMBER NO RUNNING UP OR DOWN THE STEPS. SLOW WALKING ONLY.