sent home the same day unless they are elderly with serious health conditions (even if they live alone, while the facility will recommend that they have someone stay with them). More and more surgeries are performed on humans with no overnight hospitalization--something that startles patients when they learn that will be the case. Often it is because improved procedures reduce post-surgical complications, but more often it is the insurance companies (a pet peeve of mine, but that's getting us off track).
That said, it is not unusual for pets following this kind of orthopedic procedure to be kenneled overnight to prevent them from becoming too active should they go home with the excitement of returning to their owners. If, however, the surgeon or other veterinarians providing post-anesthetic care felt that the dog was not sufficiently recovered or unstable, they would recommend transfer to an emergency clinic for observation (costly, but an added precaution in very rare instances). Should you feel more comfortable with that latter option, I've little doubt the veterinarian performing the surgery would be happy to arrange that, but you'd likely need to make the transfer and again, it would be costly. Some areas have specialty care (including orthopedic surgery) available in a facility that also houses an emergency all-night clinic. That could be an even better solution if available.
So, why, you might think wouldn't your dog be better at home with you where you could watch them? Well, again without a kennel they could injure themself with any lingering disorientation. Further, crying out as they become more "lucid" is not unusual but could be mistaken for something else by a concerned, but the untrained owner. Usually, that becomes a stressful night for both owner and pet.
Best wishes on your dog's full recovery.
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