It is not a concern for dogs not to defecate for 3-5 days after general anaesthesia, as long as they are eating and not straining to defecate.

Yes, this is allowed, as long as you ensure your dog does not jump on/off the couch or bed.

Yes, this is allowed, as long as they are resting on a clean surface.

Please restrict your pet’s exercise for 4-6 weeks following surgery. This includes no running, jumping, stairs, rough play, or high-impact off-leash activities. Short 5-10 minutes of controlled leash walks, 2-3 times daily are permitted. You may use a help-em-up harness or hind end sling (or a towel underneath the belly) to help support the weight, if necessary. After 4 weeks of strict rest, you may then gradually increase the activity levels by adding 5-10 minutes of walks each week, until they are back to their normal activity levels.

• The goal of confinement is activity restriction, but NOT completely immobilization.
• Types of confinement: Kennel, metal crate, plastic play pen, wired pen, small room (with no furniture for your pet to climb on). Please provide non-slip flooring for your dog.
• Size of confinement area: roughly 3-5 times the size of your dog. It should be big enough for your dog to lay down, stand up, turn around, and move away from a urinary/fecal accident.
• It should not be big enough for your dog to jump or run around.
• For further information, you may reference this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeoKoM7D5SI

Yes, we recommend taking the harness off when your pet is resting and use it when performing physiotherapy or when taking your dog out for bathroom breaks/short walks.

These small elevations (i.e. a small step) are acceptable for your recovering dog.

• This may be allowed if your dog is under supervision.
• Please consult with the CWVS Neurology Service to see if this applicable for your dog.

• This may include behavioural changes such as decreased ambulation or activity, lethargy, inappetence, reduced grooming, vocalization, aggression, altered posture, restlessness, hiding, and reaction to touch.
• Please contact the CWVS Neurology Service if you have concerns regarding your dog’s comfort level.

• Ideally this should be limited to a maximum of 5-10 minutes, 3-4 times daily.
• However, if your dog needs a longer walk to ‘pick the right place’ to urinate or defecate, this is allowed as long as they are on controlled leashed walks with their backs supported.

Yes, this is allowed.

• Please withhold this activity until at least 4 weeks after the surgery, and ensure your dog is on a non-slip mat to ensure their safety.
• During the first few weeks, you are allowed to use a clean cloth to wipe your dog anywhere except for the incision site.

• Please see the following instruction videos
• Bladder Expression for Dogs: A Tutorial for Pet Parents: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DO-zNiqeYNA
• Learn To Express A Dog’s Bladder In 3 Minutes!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCYB8gU8uvU
• Our technicians will also go over how to express your dog’s urinary bladder at the time of discharge.

This varies with your dog’s neurological status and degree of spinal cord injury. In general, we expect dogs that are going to improve and walk again to do so within the first 4 weeks, although improvement may take up to 3-4 months. Our neurologists will discuss the specific prognosis for recovery pertaining to your pet during the consultation.

• Stairs are NOT recommended during the first 4 weeks of exercise restriction, and therefore your pet should be carried.
• However, if stairs are inevitable due to your housing situation or your dog cannot be carried, then your dog should be supported by a harness or belly sling in the back end, while slowly using the stairs in a controlled manner (ie no running or jumping on/off the stairs).

• This can be started as soon as possible.
• Our post-op patients generally receive rehab sessions during their stay in the hospital (not available over weekends).

Please contact the CWVS Neurology Service if you would like a referral to our rehabilitation team. You can reach out to us via 604.473.4882 or [email protected].

• This generally involves an initial assessment by our rehab team of your dog’s neurological status, performing specific rehab activities with your dog, as well as laser therapy, massage, and underwater treadmill depending on their needs.
• The number of rehab sessions required will be discussed with your during the initial appointment with our rehab team.

Please contact the CWVS Neurology Service if you would like a referral to our rehabilitation team. You can reach out to us via 604.473.4882 or [email protected].

Yes, your dog is allowed to use ramps, although we recommend with supervision and only in a slow, controlled manner (i.e., no running up and down the ramps, but rather slow walking and with support if needed).