How To Help Your Pet Stay Comfortable After Surgery
After their operation, you have to create a comfortable and quiet place for your pet to rest. Keep them away from the hustle and bustle of children, other pets, and household chores. Set up a soft bed for them and give them lots of room to spread out so they can avoid putting pressure on part of their body which may be sensitive.
After your pets surgery, your vet will most likely recommend limiting your companions movement for a period of time. Sudden jumping or stretching could potentially disrupt their healing and reopen an incision.
Thankfully, most procedures dont require significant confinement of your pet ( such as “crate rest”). And most pets will be able to cope well with staying indoors most of the time during their recovery – with only an occasional trip outside as required.
However, you may find it difficult to keep your dog from climbing stairs or jumping up on furniture they love to sleep on. Preventing these actions for a few days may require keeping your dog in a safe, comfortable room of the house when you are unable to directly supervise them.
Orthopedic surgery will generally require strict limiting of your pets movements. If your vet recommends crate rest for your pet after their surgery, there are plenty of actions you can take to help your pet adjust and cope with their strict confinement to make them as happy and comfortable as possible.
Confirm that the crate you have is large enough to let your pet stand up and turn around. You might have to buy a larger crate if your cat or dog has a plastic cone or e-collar to prevent licking. Don’t forget to make sure that they have plenty of room for their water and food bowls, without risking spills that may cause bandages or bedding to become wet and soiled.
You might notice that stitches have been placed on the inside of your pet’s wound rather than the outside. Stitches on the inside will dissolve as the incision heals.
If your pet has had stitches or staples placed on the outside of their incisions, your vet will have to remove them sometime within 14 days of the surgery. They will let you know what type of stitches they used and about any follow-up care they might require from you.
You might have trouble keeping your pet from chewing, biting, scratching, or generally bothering their incisions site or bandages. A cone-shaped plastic Elizabethan collar (available in both soft and hard versions) can be an effective option to keep your pet from licking their wound.
Usually, pets will adapt to this collar fairly quickly. If your pet is having a hard time adjusting to it, there are other choices available to you. Ask your vet about less cumbersome, more effective products such as post-op medical pet shirts or donut-style collars.
Make sure your pets bandages are dry at all times, its critical in helping your pet’s surgical site heal quickly.
Make sure your pets bandages are covered in plastic wrap or a bag if they must go outside. This will prevent dampness, grass, or dirt from getting between their bandage and their skin. Remove the covering when your pet returns inside because it could cause sweat around their incision (this can lead to an infection).
The follow-up appointment gives your vet the oppoirtunity to monitor your pet’s recovery progress and look for any signs of infection before it develops into a serious condition.
Make sure you are changing your pets bandages at the appointed time as well. Leaving bandages on for too long can cause pressure sores or cut off your companions blood supply. Bringing your pet into your vet for a follow-up appointment allows for them to help you redress their wounds if need be. This allows for your pets healing process to remain smooth and on track for a full recovery.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pets condition, please make an appointment with your vet.
Managing Your Pet’s Pain after Surgery
After your pets operation, a veterinary professional will take the time to explain the medications prescribed to manage your dogs post-surgery pain. They will explain the dose required, how often to give the medications to your pet, and how to administer the medications. It is essential for your pets health that you adhere to your vets instructions in order to effectively prevent any unnecessary pain while your dog recovers, without causing any side effects. If you are unsure about any of the instructions ask your vet to clarify. Your veterinary team want to help you to help your dog recover well.
Antibiotics to prevent infection and pain medication to relieve post-op discomfort are the 2 most commonly prescribed medications for pets after surgery. If your pooch is anxious or high-strung your vet may also prescribe a sedative or anti-anxiety medication to help keep them calm while they are healing.
Home remedies arent recommended, however if there is a remedy that you would like to use to help your pet feel better, call your vet to ask if the ingredients are safe for pets. Never give human medications to your pet without consulting your veterinarian first. Many drugs that can help humans to feel better are toxic to dogs.
Keeping Your Pooch Happy While They Recover
Dogs simply dont understand when they are in recovery and may become frustrated at the reduced level of activity, the itchiness of their incision site, or just the overall lack of stimulation following surgery, so its important that you give your pet reassurance in other ways.
Keep your pup amused with a rotating selection of gentle games that wont cause any stretching or jumping, such as dog-friendly chew toys or squeaky playthings. Only offer one or two items at a time, and switch to a different toy on a regular basis to help prevent boredom.
Treats are often a great way to cheer-up a dog up but keep in mind that your dogs reduced activity means that they are burning fewer calories, too many treats can equal too much of a good thing.
Just taking some time to sit quietly with your pup, stroking their fur and chatting with them calmly, can help your dog stay calm and feel loved.
KEYS to the RECOVERY of your DOG after SURGERY
Its natural to feel stressed when your dog needs surgery. Of course, you want to make things as comfortable as possible for your furry best friend after the surgery is over. No matter what type of operation your dog is having, there are certain things you can expect and actions you can take to help your dog as he recovers. Remember, comfort and TLC are the keys to your dogs post-surgery recovery. Hell need you to keep a close eye on him and dote on him more while he gets better.
Sometimes your pet will have outpatient surgery and be ready to go home right away. Other times, he may need to stay with the veterinarian a little longer while he recovers from anesthesia. Either way, youll be given instructions on how to care for him once he comes home. This includes the medication hell need, if you should take his temperature, any cleaning you may need to do to the surgery site, and other post-surgery care notes.
Read the instructions closely and ask your veterinarian any questions you have. Be sure to ask who to contact if theres an emergency when the office is closed. Dont be shy.