Veterinarians often recommend restricted activities for our pets after a certain disease has been diagnosed or when surgical procedures have been performed. Easier said than done! For some pets and their owners, this seems like an impossible task. Although daunting, restricting your pet’s activities is important to ensure a smooth and speedy recovery.
When should my pet be kept inactive?
Your pet should be kept calm and relaxed on the recommendation of your veterinarian. Keeping a pet inactive is of vital importance to allow the body to heal after an injury or surgical procedure.
Young animals should be spayed or neutered, usually at around six months of age. During the procedure, a surgical incision is made and large blood vessels are tied off. Thereafter, your veterinarian will recommend keeping your pet as quiet as possible for 10 to 14 days. Similarly, dogs undergoing orthopaedic surgeries, like fracture repairs, should be confined. Since tendons and bones can take a while to heal, veterinarians often recommend restricted activity for a few weeks, or even months.
Injured animals should be kept as inactive as possible, to allow the injury to recover as quickly as possible. Common injuries requiring restricted activity include injuries to the musculoskeletal system, especially when causing lameness, and skin injuries requiring sutures.
Remember that pets with bandages should be kept inactive and indoors, to ensure that the bandage stays clean, dry and in place. In animals with chronic conditions, like arthritis, your veterinarian might recommend that certain high-intensity activities be avoided on a permanent basis.
What is allowed, and what not?
When your pet is recovering from a sterilisation procedure, it is recommended that you prevent any jumping (on and off beds or couches), rough play or strenuous exercise. Otherwise, it is okay for your pet to follow their daily routine, although keeping them indoors during this period is preferred.
Remember that, for any pet with sutures, swimming or bathing is off limits.
Animals receiving orthopaedic surgeries require a much longer and more intensive rest period. Your veterinarian will give you a detailed explanation of what is allowed, and what not, based on the type of surgery performed. In most instances, these animals need to be kept in a confined space that prevents jumping, running or excessive movement. These animals should be kept on a leash when going outside to prevent them from trying to run or jump. As time goes on, your vet will discuss relaxing some of these restrictions.
Animals suffering from musculoskeletal injuries should also be kept indoors and avoid excessive movements that might prolong recovery. Animals with these types of injuries should avoid stairs. If your dog suffers from chronic arthritis, choose exercises that are easy on his joints, like controlled leash walks or swimming. Swimming is an excellent rehabilitation exercise to strengthen muscles and aid in weight loss.
How to restrict activity
Restricting activity can be a daunting task, especially in young, energetic dogs. Luckily, there are some tips and tricks you can try. Although it is not always possible, try to limit the amount of time for which your pet is alone during his recovery period. Your furry friend can get up to a lot of trouble in a short amount of time, especially if he is anxious or in pain. Try to stimulate his mind while he’s recovering, by offering him interactive toys or puzzles with treats as a reward. Your local pet shop will have just the toy for your pet.
If your pet needs stricter confinement, try to keep him in a room without furniture to jump on, or try a kid’s playpen for smaller dogs. If your dog is extremely active or anxious and is compromising his recovery, speak to your veterinarian about prescribing safe medication to help him relax.
Restricting your pet’s activity is never fun, but is important for his recovery. There are few things as discouraging for a pet owner and a veterinarian as a failed procedure, or a wound that’s not healing due to excessive movement. Try your best to follow the vet’s initial recommendations to a tee, to ensure that your pet is back to his old self in no time.
