Sarah-Jane White Equipping yourself with the correct information to care for your dog after surgery is crucial. This information can help you get it back to normal in the shortest time possible and without further complications to your health. Today, we give you five tips on how to care for your dog following a surgical procedure.
Follow the Post-Op Instructions Given to You By Your Vet
Just like in human beings, surgery can be a stressful time for your dog and you as a loving dog owner. This makes knowing how to care for your dog to facilitate expedient recovery even more important to ensure that they return to their usual, more active lifestyle.
No matter what type of surgical procedure your dog is scheduled to undergo, your vet or specialist will usually provide you with clear instructions that you should follow on how you should care for your dog after the procedure. These sets of instructions will be particular to the surgery that your dog has just been through. It will help if you follow these instructions to the latter on how you should care for your pet following a surgical procedure.
For example, if your dog has undergone a tie-back operation, your post-op instructions may require you to restrict your pet’s movement for six weeks following the surgery. Restricting their movement does not mean they do not move, as you can be instructed to take them on short daily walks, usually for potty breaks. In the case of a dog named Max, the owner was required to impose some long-term restrictions after the surgery, such as:
- Using a harness instead of a traditional collar.
- Protecting the dog from overheating as they still may lack the ability to cool themselves off when panting.
Feeding Your Dog Post-Surgery
The general anaesthetic used on your dog during a surgical procedure may cause them to feel a little woozy, and it may lose its appetite for some time. When it is time to feed your dog after undergoing surgery, it will help if you try giving your pet a light meal that is half or a quarter of their typical serving.
For example, a meal of rice and chicken is light and easy for your dog to digest compared to commercial dog food you bought from a store. However, you can expect your dog to regain its appetite within the following day or two following its surgery. After you notice an improvement in appetite in your dog, you can start gradually putting them on their regular diet.
However, if your dog’s appetite does not improve within about 48 hours, you should contact your vet or specialist, as this lack of appetite could indicate the presence of an infection and pain.
It is also important to note that putting your dog on a nutrient-rich diet while in their recovery phase and making this all-around diet permanent is crucial to caring for your pet’s overall health.
If you are unsure about what foods are the best for your dog, consider speaking to your vet, as they will be able to recommend foods that constitute all the required macro and micronutrients that your dog needs to optimize their health. In addition, your vet will also be able to calculate the correct amount of calories your dog should feed on post-surgery to maintain a healthy body weight.
Managing the Pain Your Dog Experiences After Surgery
After your dog’s surgery, a veterinary doctor or other professionals in that field will take the time to take you through the pain medication prescribed to your pet post-surgery. The professional will explain the required dosage, how frequently you should administer the medication, and how you should administer the medications. If you do not clearly understand the instructions, you should ask your vet to clarify the information.
For the sake of your pet’s health and comfort, you must follow these instructions and adhere to them for the required duration to ensure your dog is back to its feet in the shortest time possible. In addition, adhering to this treatment regimen will ensure that your dog will not experience side effects post-surgery.
Antibiotics are usually prescribed to your dog after its surgery to ensure they do not get infections. In addition, the medication will help your dog stay comfortable and relaxed as they recover. If your dog is extremely anxious, your vet may prescribe an anti-anxiety or sedative medication to help them remain calm during recovery.
We discourage you from using home remedies on your dog after its surgery. However, if you feel that some remedies may benefit your dog, you should call your vet to ensure that the ingredients in the said remedy are safe for dogs to ingest. Never give medication meant for human beings to your dog without first consulting a veterinary professional, as many medications that improve the well-being of humans are toxic to dogs.
Still, comfort is often an overlooked aspect of managing your dog’s pain and discomfort post-surgery. After your dog has gone under the knife, it would be beneficial to their recovery if you provided them with a comfortable environment where they can rest as they recover. For added comfort, you should provide your dog with a quiet environment, away from other pets and children, as they may cause disturbances.
If your dog has the habit of curling up on a tiny bed as they go to sleep, it would be beneficial if you invest in a bed that is a bit larger to make sure that the incision site is not under tension and that the sensitive and bandaged areas are also relaxed as your dog will be stretched out. Allowing your dog this and other comforts can help them recover quicker by protecting the incision site.
How to Care for Your Dog’s Incision Site
It can be an uphill task to try and prevent your dog from licking, biting, or even scratching at the incision site or the bandages that cover it. Worry not, however, as there is a specialized cone-shaped collar, and when used, it is very effective in preventing your dog from reaching the site of the wound. This collar is uncomfortable for the dog, and it will take them some time to get used to it. If your dog still finds it difficult to adjust to the collar, many other options on the market offer improved comfort.
In a normal scenario, stitches will be removed about 10-14 days following a surgical procedure. However, many vets have since transitioned to using stitches that dissolve as the incision site heals. Regardless of which type of stitches your vet opts for, you will still need to ensure that your dog does not lick the surgical wound to prevent infection and allow quick healing.
Similarly, keeping the bandages dry would help, as this is a key step to guarantee that the incision site heals quickly. Allowing your dog to venture outdoors will help to ensure that the bandages are covered by a plastic bag or cling wrap, as this will protect them from moisture. Remember to remove the plastic or cling wrap as soon as your dog comes back into the house, as leaving it on for a prolonged period will lead to sweat accumulating under the bandage increasing the risk of infection.
Do Not Skip the Follow-Up Appointment
Follow-up appointments allow your vet to monitor and evaluate your dog’s progress during their recovery or lack thereof. During this evaluation, your vet will check for signs of infection and address them if they are found present, as well as check the general health of your dog. In addition, the bandages that cover the incision site will also be changed during the follow-up appointments, as leaving them on for too long can result in infections that are detrimental to your pup’s recovery.
This increased risk of infection when bandages are not changed out is caused by pressure sores that may develop over time or constrain blood supply to the affected area. We advise against changing the bandages at home as veterinary professionals are well-trained in dressing wounds. This expertise will alleviate any chances of an infection developing.
In between appointments, if by any chance the bandages on your dog become loose and fall off, or you notice some swelling, or even blood seeping through the bandages, you should make an immediate appointment with your vet to address any problems as they arise.
In most surgeries on soft tissue, such as neutering, spaying, or abdominal surgery, recovery will take a relatively short period compared to procedures involving the bones, ligaments, and joints. For example, many procedures on soft tissue will have healed about 80% after about 2-3 weeks, while more complicated surgeries can take 8-12 weeks.
Conclusion
Pet owners usually feel guilty when implementing certain post-surgery measures, such as restricting your dog’s movement, but remember that these measures will help your dog get back to its feet as soon as possible, more so when you implement all the tips that we have provided.
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