Crate Rest Recovery Process

Post Surgical or Non-surgical Conservative Medical Treatment
updated April 2009

It is imperative to keep the dog quiet 24/7 during the recovery period of 6 weeks post op or 8 weeks with conservative treatment. One benefit of surgery is physical therapy can start soon after. Conservatively treated dogs follow a plan of 8 weeks of quiet and rest to allow the disc and spinal cord to heal, these dogs are limited only to necessary movement such as at potty time. Follow your surgeon’s or veterinarian’s instructions.

Avoid risking a relapse by strictly implementing the following:

A wire crate works well so the dog can see you easily and also has a top that opens to lift the dog up and down. Playpens, ex-pens or strollers are other options. Make crate rest as comfortable as possible for the dog. Memory foam mattress will release pressure points. Protect mattress from liquids by inserting in a large trash bag. Use no-sew fleece cut to size as linens, dries fast and wicks moisture from skin.
Post on your fridge the emergency signs to be aware of. Print out from: http://www.dodgerslist.com/literature/FridgeInfo81907.pdf
If your dog is incontinent, male wraps or diapers can reduce laundry til you become proficient in expressing the bladder or bowels. Avoid ointments containing zinc which is toxic if too much is ingested. Keep extra changes of bedding handy. Diapers or Wraps
Get the dog on a feeding schedule: potty times will be the same and accidents can be prevented. Take your dog out to potty first thing in the morning. Then feed breakfast. Take to potty mid morning or at lunch. Potty again at mid afternoon. Dinner. Potty again just before bed. Another potty break might be needed if the dog is on drugs that make him very thirsty or hungry.
To entertain your dog, place crate near a window with a view, on the coffee table in front of couch where you sit. Place the crate so doxie will be in the middle of family activities, near your bed at night. Secure crate to a flat moving dolly (or put casters on plywood) to easily move crate room to room. Fill a kong with soft dog food, cheese or peanut butter and freeze. Good low cal snacks are carrots, frozen green beans.
Restless dog? Ask your vet about Rescue Remedy Pet, Benadryl or some other calming aid. It is imperative that during the healing period the dog rests. Being inside the crate barking and jumping against the crate is not resting. The dog must be calm. Make sure you are not inadvertantly training the dog for unwanted behavior. Rewards are food, eye contact, speaking, approaching the crate.
Attach food and water bowls to the crate at head height, so dog does not have to bend down to eat and drink. Always provide plenty of fresh water. Dogs on steroids will be thirsty.
Forgo having him in bed with you at night altogether so as to prevent any unnoticed jumping or rolling into your body. Even with a ramp, the weakened, healing dog might possibly fall or miss altogether while making an ascent or descent. Your dog needs a flat, always horizontal and firm surface of the crate to support his back during recovery.
In most cases, children should be forbidden from caring for or playing with the pet during his recovery. Implement a strict rule that the dog must rest in crate.
Humans and other pets must be discouraged from any kind of play whatsoever during the pet’s recuperation. No tugging or pulling activities.
Always carry your dog to and from the potty area. Carry supporting both ends of dog. On a six foot leash stand in one spot and allow a few steps to do his business. Allowing free rein outdoors even for a moment is an opportunity for disaster. One wrong jump, leap or run has the potential to reverse all benefits of crate rest to this point.
Your vet will demonstrate passive range of motion exercises & how to massage the legs during crate rest for the downed dog. Ask your vet about hydrotherapy, for post op cases or if conservative treatment has been completed. Acupuncture can be started at any time.
Know your pet’s medications- side effects, etc. Ask pharmacist for the informational sheet or Google the med.
Prevent a reoccurrence of disc problems. It is crucial the dog maintain a healthy weight. When his body has recovered from healing, ask your vet when your dog’s diet can start. With restriction of calories after crate rest you can expect 8-10 weeks to have a slimmer dog. Follow the guidelines of your vet or canine nutritionist regarding weight loss goals. Avoid a high carbohydrate, low calorie food, opt for a good quality, high protein dry kibble, just using less of it while taking the excess weight off. Take a look at http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=betterproducts – to learn more about the difference between junk and quality kibble. Another good site is http://www.nonprofitnw.org/drnw/id47.html
And finally, don’t be too quick to get a cart. Many dogs don’t ever need them, and some dogs never learn to walk if they are able to depend on the ease of the cart. Consider it only AFTER the initial 6-8 week recovery period. Sometimes it can take as long as 6 months or a year for a full recovery.

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Crate Rest Recovery Process