Sometimes a response is immediate and relief is felt straight away or within first 72 hours. Sometimes it can take 7-10 days for improvement to be visible and an animal may go through an initial period of stiffness. Usual exercise regimes should be halved for the next day, or potentially longer, water should be kept topped up and rest should be encouraged.
For a dog, it is advisable for it to be kept on a lead for 1-2 days then gradually increase exercise over the following 6-7 days. Horses will be advised according to temperament eg, if it will ferociously box walk then perhaps turnout in a small paddock would be preferable. Horses should ideally rest for 1-2 days then be ridden on a loose rein.
This aftercare will aid the healing process and it is important to follow advice to maximise effectiveness. Regular check-ups can help maintain performance and health and reduce chances of injury. This would be 1-3 months depending on activity levels, or for ongoing conditions and rehab this could be as often as every 2-4 weeks.