Life After Injury: Caring for Your Pet After Surgery
A personal note from behind the lens
Not long ago (last week), my dog Bowie suffered a complete cruciate ligament tear. One minute he was zooming around the yard, and the next he was on three legs, not putting any weight on his back leg at all. There were no warning signs, no slow limping over time – just one wrong move and he was suddenly injured.
As a pet photographer, I spend so much time capturing animals at their happiest, most energetic, most expressive. But behind the scenes, this has been a different kind of journey – one filled with worry, gentle care, and a whole lot of patience.
I wanted to share a bit about Bowie’s injury, and what I’ve learned along the way in case you ever find yourself caring for a pet after an injury or surgery.
What the First Days Looked Like
Bowie had surgery to repair the ligament soon after the tear. Bringing him home was both a relief and a challenge. He was groggy, sore, confused, and reluctant to move. He didn’t eat much and didn’t wee for over 24 hours – something the vet had warned us might happen but still made me nervous. I even rang the vet to check if this was ok.
These early days are all about making him feel safe, keeping things quiet, and staying close.
A Few Things That are Helping Us
Keep their space small and safe
We set up a comfy bed in a quiet part of the house, away from stairs or other pets. Bowie isn’t a fan of being confined, but limiting his movement is essential.
Stick to lead-only toilet breaks
Even if your dog seems eager to go, the risk of re-injury is high. We are taking toilet breaks on lead only. No extra movement allowed (even if he wanted to).
Track medication
Between pain relief and anti-inflammatories, there’s a bit to manage. I kept a simple notepad with dates and times so I didn’t have to rely on memory.
Offer food and water slowly
Bowie wasn’t interested in food straight away. Small bits of soft chicken is helping to coax his appetite back.
Don’t panic if things seem “off”
From strange toilet habits to odd sleeping positions, recovery can look different from one dog to the next. I found myself worrying about every little thing, but a quick call to the vet often eased my mind.
Emotionally, It’s a Lot
Watching your pet in pain is rough. You want to do everything right, but there’s no perfect roadmap. Some days I felt helpless, other days hopeful. Bowie looked to me for comfort, and I did my best to give it – even if I wasn’t entirely sure what I was doing.
That bond, though? It only gets stronger through times like these.
A New Appreciation
Bowie’s recovery will be long and it will be a while before he is back chasing balls, running on the beach or posing in front of the camera, but we will get there.
If you’re going through something similar, just know: it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Take things one day at a time. Keep your vet in the loop, trust your instincts, and celebrate the little milestones. Your pet doesn’t need everything to be perfect – they just need you.
If you’ve had your own experience caring for a pet after an injury, I’d love to hear about it. And if you’re planning a photo session after recovery, know that I’m all for capturing those comeback stories – scars, smiles, and all.
Thinking about booking a pet portrait session?
Bowie’s injury was a powerful reminder that life can change in an instant. Capturing your pet’s unique personality through photos is more than just a fun experience – it becomes a lasting memory. Whether your furry friend is young, aging, or recovering from something big, a portrait session celebrates who they are right now. Get in touch to chat about a session – I promise it’s relaxed, fun, and tailored to your pet.