by Eugene G.

Created on: August 17, 2009

When my dog ruptured his cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), it was a very devastating injury for him. One minute my pet was active and running around the yard. The next minute he could not put any weight on his left hind leg. That's when everyone feared the worse. An x-ray taken by our local veterinarian confirmed that his CCL was ruptured and he would require surgery. My dog needed two metal plates inserted into his leg and also needed his meniscus repaired.

I share this personal experience about my pet because as pet owners, we treat our pets as part of the family. No pet lover wants to see their beloved friend injured, but accidents happen. When they do and your pet requires surgery, the care provided by the pet owner can make all the difference during the recovery process. If your pet needs to undergo surgery, the following tips will help as you care for your pet during their recovery.

Prepare yourself for the recovery process
When a pet is injured, we as pet owners immediately begin to care for them by monitoring how they feel. However, the amount of care will increase once the recovery process begins. You may need to help your pet walk, or carry them, because they cannot put full weight on their injured limb(s). They may need to be walked for exercise to regain strength. Also, you may need to give your pet medication prescribed by the veterinarian. The recovery process for a pet may take several months, so pet owners need to be patient, compassionate and devote lots of time to them. The "tender-loving-care" theory is the best medicine any pet owner can provide during the recovery process. Plenty of care and attention will do wonders for any pet.

Ensure a clean and comfortable area for pet rest
Once a pet comes home after surgery, pet owners must ensure that the pet has a clean and comfortable area to rest. Pets will be tired and sore from the surgical procedure, so they will lie down and sleep for hours. Don't be surprised if your pet is exhausted for a day or two. Ensure the area where the pet is going to sleep is clean and sanitized. Pet owners should invest in a medium or large pet bed that allows their pet to stretch out and rest their body and legs. Most pet beds are shaped like a rectangular pillow, so this should help your pet relax and feel cozy. Make sure they have plenty of food and water near their bed.

Control the behavior of other pets
If pet owners have additional pets that are aggressive, energetic, or hyper, they need to prevent these pets

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