Each procedure will have specific exercise limitations.
For routine surgery like desexing, lump removal or wound treatments, we expect your pet to be rested from standard exercise until their sutures are removed. You can take your pet out to the toilet on a lead several times per day to allow them to gently move around. In the case of cats we recommend they be kept indoors, preferably in a room where their movement can be limited. Your vet will advise you if you can resume exercise earlier.
For a routine procedure like a dental, your pet can resume normal exercise 24 hours after their procedure
For orthopaedic surgery, very specific exercise limitations are recommended to ensure the bones and joints heal properly. You will be provided with these recommendations post-op, but please contact the clinic with any questions. A general guide would be that the pet be cage-rested with lead-walking to toilet or carrying to toilet for 5-7 days, followed by confinement to a single room for a further 7 days. Between days 14 and 28, your pet should be confined to the house. At day 21, we will usually recommend very careful reintroduction of exercise, building up from 5 minutes lead walking 2-3 times daily to 20 minutes 2-3 times daily over the course of a further 3 weeks. From 6-8 weeks post-operatively, a  more normal exercise schedule can be instituted, but we do not recommend off-lead or heavy exercise (eg. ball-chasing, beach running etc) for 12 weeks after surgery.