• Controlled leash walks.
• Walks must be performed on a short leash. Walking your dog slowly at first will help him/her gradually improve his strength. Walking slowly will also help them use the operated leg more confidently.
• One walk per day for five minutes at a time is recommended. This walk is in addition to walks for elimination purposes.
• Physical therapy/rehabilitation at home
• No off-leash activity. No jumping on or off furniture (including beds and couch). No playing. No ball chases. No running. No jumping in or out of the car.
• Suture recheck appointment

• Increase leash walks to about 10 minutes three times a day
• For pets that seem sore after 10-minute walks, reduce it to 5 minutes for 2-3 days, then gradually increase it over the following 4-5 days to 10 minutes.
• Continue physical therapy/rehabilitation at home.
• No off-leash activity. No jumping on or off furniture (including beds and couches). No playing. No ball chases. No running. No jumping in or out of the car.

• Continue rehabilitation/physical therapy at home.
• Week 5: Increase the length of walks to 12 minutes 3-4 times per day.
• Week 6: Increase the length of walks to 15 minutes 3-5 times per day.
• Week 7: Increase the length of walks to 18 minutes 3-5 times per day.
• Week 8: Increase the length of walks to 20 minutes 3-5 times per day.
• No off-leash activity. No jumping on or off furniture (including beds and couches). No playing. No ball chases. No running. No jumping in or out of the car.

• Recheck radiographs appointment
• Radiographs will be taken at week 8 to confirm appropriate bone healing. If the surgery site is healing appropriately, activity restrictions are slowly lifted.
• Continue physical therapy/rehabilitation.
• Continue to increase the duration of the walks gradually.
• Gradually introduce the off-leash activity. Avoid activities requiring sudden changes in speed and direction (ball chasing, fetch, etc.)

Week 9: 5 minutes of off-leash activity 3-5 times a day
Week 10: 5-10 minutes of off-leash exercise 3-5 times a day
Week 11: 10-15 minutes of off-leash exercise 3-5 times a day
Week 12: 10-20 minutes of off-leash exercise 3-5 times a day

Gradually increase your dog’s activity off-leash to 30 minutes 3-5 times a day.
You may allow jumping on and off a low bed or couch up to 2-3 times a day.

All restrictions are lifted. Continue to increase off-leash activity to pre-surgery level gradually.

Although the bone may have healed, there is still plenty of time needed to rebuild the muscles supporting the knee. On average, it takes six months before your dog’s operated leg will rebuild the pre-surgery muscle mass.

TPLO surgery costs in Southern California vary based on the type of hospital and location. Pet owners may see estimates in the $8,000-$10,000 range, especially in large emergency hospitals.The lowest price currently advertised in SD county for dogs weighing below 90 pounds is $2,900, but it is not clear if this price includes the cost of anesthesia, radiographs, bloodwork, sedation or rechecks (2024).

At SurgiPet the following items are included in the cost of TPLO surgery:

• In-person consultation with the surgeon
• In-person consultation with the anesthesiologist
• All orthopedic X-rays for the first 4 months post surgery
• Pre-anesthesia bloodwork and chest x-rays (if needed)
• Surgical equipment, including C-arm imaging (live x-rays images obtained in surgery)
• Surgery room expenses
• Anesthesiologist (Doctor) supervision and all anesthesia charges (medications, fluids, equipment)
• Sophisticated local block (numbing block) for pain-free recovery performed by the anesthesiologist just before surgery
• The cost of surgery, including Surgeon (Doctor) fees and Titanium implants
• Post-operative monitoring, medications, and fluids
• Pain medications for the first 2 weeks
• Medications (sedatives, antibiotic, anti-nausea) to help keep your pet calm for the first 2 weeks
• Sling to support your pet during the first week post surgery
• Suture removal
• Sedation for x-rays (if needed)
• All follow-up consultations with the surgeon for the first 4 months post surgery

The all-inclusive package fee for TPLO surgery at SurgiPet (2024):

• For dogs weighing below 101 pounds (45 kg), the cost is $4,500
• For dogs weighing 101 to 120 pounds (46 to 55 kg), the cost is $4,800
• For dogs weighing over 120 pounds (over 55 kg), the cost is $6,250

What’s Not included? In general, the following things are not included in the flat fee for TPLO surgery at SurgiPet:

• Advanced anesthesia medications and equipment required for high-risk anesthesia patients
• Major surgical complications that may arise
• Medications needed to treat the complications
• Medications beyond the first 2 weeks (typically sedatives)
• Rehabilitation sessions
• Care required after 4 months post surgery (since recovery is completed)