can't wait for April!!!!!!!

What kind of knee surgery did your dog have? My Maxine had TPLO done, now on both knees (one last year, the other this past Oct). She only needed 8 weeks of quiet. We go in on Wednesday and hope to get cleared to start taking short walks.
 
I do agree if your vet says wait 4 months, DO IT. We followed our vets advice to the "T" and Maxine came through with flying colors. She was 8+ when she had her first surgery, and then embarked on a new gig of dock jumping and learning aglity. We respected her age and she loved it. Right now she is so bored she can't stand it. I keep promising her she gets to start her walks on Thursday (maybe Wed we will see). Maxine turns 10 the day after Christmas, but you would not know it. Dogs pull through this quite well.
 
Ann
 

just my humble opinion but 4 months seems like an awfull lo ng time  to limit exercise..ask you vet if  the pup might be alowed out for at least a few minutes a couple times a day...4 months could lead to muscle atrophy...if not allolowed out for the time be sure you massage  the pup a couple times a day to keep the muscles working or in some  sort of condition

yeah, I agree with the length of time.  we have a whole book of instructions which include massage, and we are now in the 3rd month which is when we are supposed to let her walk outside to go to the bathroom without supporting her legs (with a towel around her stomach).   Also, she is raoming around the house on the main floor (no stairs).  she is definetly recovering well, and it will really be worth it.  thanks for the advice!

4 months... really? Wow. I see dogs a week out of surgery and they're starting physical therapy already... that just seems like... well, a REALLY long time to have cage rest.

When my sister's great dane had knee surgery, they told her eight weeks. Sis assumed that meant 8 weeks with no running, jumping, stairs, etc. So kept her inside except for potty breaks the first two weeks then she gradually walked her on a leash around the yard or to the barn for chores just a little bit more each week as Norma Jean felt up to it. Then she got the physical therapy instructions at the eight week checkup. First week: Walk on leash for one block. Ooops! Apparently it did no harm, the surgeon thought Norma Jean's knee had recovered EXTREMELY well and was well above expections in her rehabilitation. []

I've always wondered why dogs are put on strict kennel rest for weeks after a knee surgury, but humans are put into physical therapy practically as soon as the anathesia wears off. Maybe because people can wear a brace? Anyone know?

I often wonder why dogs are so restricted...I had both knees replaced and was not allowed to use them for a max of ten days...but then I did not go romping round the yard or park looking for good sniffs.

With Maxine's first surgery the vet did a 4 week check. He gave us permission at that time to start her swimming. She could not jump in (walk only) and she was not cleared to "go for walks" yet. We went to my inlaws it was 4th of July week, I would wade into the water with Max until her feet no longer touched bottom, and throw her toy. I would do it several times until I felt she needed a rest or she decided she needed a rest. Her decision was usually much later than mine. I spent alot of time in the lake that week. She was a happier dog with her first surgery and I think it was because she could swim. Her second knee was in October. There wasn't the swim option in Nov in Michigan at that time of year.

I did find a rehabilitation facility, but they were just a little too gung ho. They wanted her the Sat after her surgery (which was on a Thursday). Then they had to do their own physical exam at $75 per hour. If they found her fit, then she could swim. I think it was $25 hour for free swim, $35 for tread mill. That didn't bother me too much, but $75 per hour for an exam? How long can an exam last? I just spent thousands on her surgery and I am not made of money. We are still trying to figure out where the money is coming from to pay for it. I wish I could afford to do the exam on both my dogs. My lab would benefit from some treadmill work. With a golden and a lab, they both love to be in water.

Maxine in now 11 weeks since her surgery. She is walking 3 blocks at a time 1 - 2 times a day. I have started small controlled short "jogs" with her. She so happy now to be "working". She has actually started playing with our new puppy. Every day her limp is less pronounced. Now if only her hair would grow back in the one spot. SIGH! I know it will. She has lost almost 15lbs since her first surgery. I guess she needed to, but she seems thin and a bit boney to me now. Not that I want her fat. I think I may up her food a little (if she will eat she is the pickiest eating golden I have ever known). I can feel her spine, and I say she has a skinny chicken butt. Her sides feel good but I want to keep it that way.

Good Luck with your recovery!
Ann

I'm going through the last 3 weeks of THR (hip replacement) for my terrier/lab mix and it's been a long haul, let me tell you. I have always wondered about the rehab for people immediately after surgery and the long wait for dogs. I have a 4-month wait, too, like the OP's TPLO one.
 
It has not been easy but it hasn't been the worst, either. We've had no major mishaps and at 15.5 weeks post op, we walk 1/2 mile twice a day--20 min a pop, so we're taking it slow.
 
Still--my dog is stronger than ever and that hip is amazing.
 
So pleased with my choice of 1) surgeon--very important, if you ask me, and 2) device--very important, too, and 3) how well we've done here at home.
 
Congrats to all ortho surgery survivors!