Pet Surgery Center in Carlsbad, CA
TPLO Recovery Guide Week by Week
After TPLO can my dog jump on the couch?
Read SurgiPet’s TPLO recovery guide.
Over 1000 successful TPLO surgeries
TPLO Surgery Experts
TPLO is the most common surgery performed at SurgiPet. It is a preferred treatment for dogs who have torn or injured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), also called the CCL ligament of the knee. TPLO surgery is not an emergency surgery. However, we recommend performing TPLO surgery within days of injury to avoid muscle weakness.
The all-inclusive package fee for TPLO surgery at SurgiPet covers everything from the initial consultation to post-surgical rechecks and x-rays and offers 30-40% savings compared to large veterinary hospitals' charges.
TPLO Surgery – Recovery Week by Week
Recovery following the TPLO Surgery is relatively short. It takes about 8 weeks for the bone to heal and an additional 8 weeks (for a total of 16 weeks) before the pet can resume regular, unrestricted activity.
TPLO surgery has a high success rate. Over 90% of dogs regain full function of the knee. The pain and limping resolve & they return to all pre-surgery activities.
- Short walks on a leash to go to the toilet & plenty of downtime in a kennel, crate, or small room.
- Use a sling to support them outside for the first seven days.
- Reduce the amount of food given by 30% to avoid weight gain.
- 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.
- 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 ballchases. No running. No jumping in or out of the car.
- Continue rehabilitation/physical therapy 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.
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.
- 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 activityoff-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 in dogs often costs $8,000–$10,000 at large hospitals in Southern California. At SurgiPet, our flat fee covers all standard surgical costs—consults, anesthesia, board-certified anesthesiologist’s fees, OR, surgeon’s fee—plus extras often billed separately elsewhere, including:
- Pain meds, sedative, antibiotics, anti-nausea meds (for the first 2 weeks)
- Support sling to help your dog walk during early recovery
- All rechecks & X-rays for 4 months (sedation is also included if needed)
- Pre-op bloodwork and chest films (if needed)
- Use of C-arm system (live x-rays during the procedure)
Not included: medications beyond two weeks (sedatives), surgical complications, physical therapy, or rechecks beyond 4 months.
TPLO surgery pricing at SurgiPet (2025):
- For dogs weighing below 101 pounds (45 kg), the cost is $4,850
- For dogs weighing 101 to 120 pounds (46 to 55 kg), the cost is $5,150
- For dogs weighing over 120 pounds (over 55 kg), the cost is $6,250
Same-day Surgery
Consultation, surgery and back home, all in the same day!
Over 1000 successful TPLO surgeries