Strict rest after your pet's surgery: What does that really mean?

Molly Benoît
6 days ago
4 min read

Most surgeries are performed to improve or correct a health problem: to repair a wound, remove a mass, set a fracture, stabilize a knee, etc.

When an animal undergoes surgery, the procedure itself is only the first half of the road to recovery. The other 50% rests entirely on your shoulders, dear pet owners, through your adherence to the recommendations for complete rest.

All too often, we see technically successful surgeries fail due to the animal’s excessive enthusiasm and a lapse in vigilance on the part of its owners. That is why the period of complete rest lasting a few weeks must absolutely be closely supervised.

Chien endormi sur une table vétérinaire, relié à des tubes et capteurs, sous une couverture, ambiance médicale calme.

The Race Against Time: Expected Timeframes for Tissue Healing

After surgery, it’s normal for the animal to feel better and want to resume its activities quickly.

Don’t be fooled! Even if it looks healthy, the healing process takes a specific amount of time and should not be rushed.

Complete rest is essential to minimize the risk of complications as much as possible.

Each type of tissue requires a specific amount of time to heal properly.

Tissue	Expected recovery time	Percentage of recovery after healing*
Skin	10–14 days for a simple surgical incision; healing will continue for several months after that	80% of normal strength approximately 3 to 6 months after surgery
Abdominal wall	3–6 months for a full recovery	80% of normal strength approximately 3 to 6 months after surgery
Intestine	17–21 days for the repair site to approach normal strength	Nearly 100% of normal strength by 17–21 days after surgery
Bladder	10–14 days	Nearly 100% of normal strength by about 14 days
Tendon	10–12 weeks for clinical healing; remodeling will continue for several months afterward	80% of normal strength approximately 8 to 12 months after surgery
Bones	6–12 weeks for clinical and radiographic bone healing; remodeling will then continue for several months	Nearly 100% after complete remodeling, which can take up to 1 year

*compared to the original tissue that has not undergone trauma and/or surgery

Orthopedics: The Myth of the Indestructible Implant

Many pet owners believe that because metal implants are screwed into the bone, the bone is now stronger than before. Please be aware that this is a dangerous misconception.

Implants are designed to hold the bone in place during the healing period, not to permanently replace the bone’s function.

Every time your pet runs, jumps off the couch, or climbs stairs too soon, it places immense mechanical stress on screws that are only a few millimeters in diameter.

Surgical implants are strong, but they aren’t indestructible! If subjected to excessive stress, implants can:

Loosen (implant loosening): Repeated micro-movements cause bone resorption around the screws, rendering them ineffective.
Suffer fatigue: Like a paper clip that is repeatedly bent and unbent, plates and screws can break if the bone does not solidify within the expected timeframe and quickly take over the load-bearing role.

By the third or fourth week after surgery, your pet will hardly be limping at all. This is the most dangerous time, because your pet thinks it’s healed, but its bones are still extremely fragile. Never let your guard down until you get the green light, based on a follow-up X-ray performed by your veterinarian.

The Real Consequences of Unpredictability

A study recently published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association¹¹i found that up to 34% of pet owners do not follow postoperative instructions properly. The study’s findings show, among other things, that pet owners often skip follow-up appointments, particularly when surgeries are performed on an emergency basis or when they involve orthopedic procedures.

However, the risks of noncompliance are significant:

Nonunion or malunion: The bone fails to heal or heals improperly, which may require repeat surgery or significantly impair the patient’s recovery and function.
Bone infection: An implant that shifts due to excessive activity causes excessive inflammation, creating an ideal breeding ground for bacterial growth. A bone infection, also known as osteomyelitis, may require months of antibiotic treatment or, in more severe cases, surgical removal of the implants.

Revision surgery is often more complex, riskier, and more expensive than the initial procedure.

Complete rest doesn't have to mean suffering!

Restricting an active animal—which often feels “better” faster than its body is actually capable of—is a challenge. We know this, but it’s a necessary step! Think of it as the ultimate act of love; it’ll make you feel a little warmer inside.

Here is a list of post-operative care guidelines:

A safe space: For most surgeries, strict rest in a confined, secure space is necessary. A crate or playpen can be used as needed. For orthopedic surgeries, the standard recovery period is 6 to 8 weeks. Jumping, running, and playing should be avoided. Stairs may be used only under active supervision.
Outings for bathroom breaks: Always on a short leash, solely for bathroom breaks, on flat, non-slippery ground.
Mental stimulation: Since the animal can no longer expend energy physically, you need to stimulate its brain to compensate! You can create stimulating enrichment activities that engage their logic and various senses, such as their sense of smell.

When is it important to contact us?

Although some fatigue or mild discomfort is to be expected after surgery, certain signs warrant immediate attention.

It is important to contact the veterinary team if the pain increases, if the limping worsens, if significant swelling develops, or if the wound becomes red, oozes, or appears to be opening. You should also notify us if your pet is licking or nibbling at the incision, refusing to eat, seems lethargic, or is behaving unusually.

If in doubt, contact us: it’s often easier to act quickly than to wait for a minor problem to worsen.

The Art of a Successful Recovery: Complete Rest Is Coupez’s Best Ally

Our surgical team has done its job; now it’s your pet’s turn to do theirs: heal. All that’s left is to support their recovery with care and patience—that’s your part of the deal for a successful recovery!

Ensuring your pet gets complete rest means giving them the best possible chance to reap the benefits of their surgery for the rest of their life!