Post surgery dog care made easy with these 15 brilliant tips
Having surgery is not only stressful for the dog physically and emotionally, it very stressful for the guardian as well. Not only is the guardian waiting for the phone call to hear that their dog has woken up and the surgery went well, they are also worried about the post surgery dog care routine.
Even though your veterinarian will inform you of all the precautions which must be observed while your dog is recovering, here are 14 amazing tips to make your and your dogs life easy while he or she recovers from surgery.
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| Post surgery dog care tips for easy recovery |
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Post surgery dog care tips
Keep your pup confined
The primary part of the post surgery dog care process is to keep your dog’s movement restricted. Even the tiniest of surgeries take a toll on the dogs body. Hence it is imperative that the dog is given time to heal before he or she can go back to engaging in their regular activities. Confining the dog helps the tissue that was incised to heal nicely.
If the dog is constantly engaging in strenuous activities it will not only delay the recovery process, it may also hurt the wound further and cause improper healing. Constant movement also increases the risk of post surgery infection.
Follow the surgeon’s written activity restrictions. Routine soft-tissue procedures often require 7–14 days of restricted activity; do not resume exercise after only three to seven days unless the surgeon clears it.
To speed up the healing process, it is best if the dog is confined to a small space. This space must be familiar to your dog. If you have a very energetic dog, it would be better to confined him or her in a crate or pen.
Orthopedic and other major operations can require many weeks of restriction and a structured rehabilitation plan. Two weeks is not a universal recovery limit; obtain procedure-specific instructions.
To make the confinement comfortable, you can add your pup’s favorite stuffed toys, nice bedding and a blanket. Make sure that the crate or enclosure is big enough so that your dog can easily stand and turn around in a circle unless it is prohibited by the vet.
Make sure that your pup receives all the medications on time
Antibiotics and pain killers are the most commonly prescribed medications for post surgery dog care. antibiotics prevent the incision site for getting infected while the pain killers keep the pain at bay. In case it is a small surgery, chances are that your dog may not require antibiotics since their might be little infection risk. However, pain medications must always be administered.
Give only the pain medicines prescribed for this dog and follow the discharge schedule. Do not substitute arnica, herbal products or human painkillers; contact the clinic if pain is not controlled.
Keep the dog calm
Use a quiet, comfortable recovery area. Do not start CBD treats or essential oils after surgery; discuss anxiety with the surgeon, who can prescribe an appropriate plan if needed.
If your dog cannot settle safely, contact the surgeon about prescribed medication or changes to confinement. Never add sedatives or supplements without checking for interactions with the discharge medicines.
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Check the incision for proper recovery
Inspect the incision at least twice daily and follow the surgeon’s instructions. Keep it dry and prevent licking. Do not add covers, bandages, ointments or disinfectants unless directed.
Do not wipe or soak a closed incision because it looks dry or crusty. Ask the clinic if you are concerned; never apply peroxide or alcohol. Follow any specific drain-care instructions separately.
If you notice that the incision is oozing pus, looks red and swollen or hard to touch, these might indicate that the incision is infected. In case you notice such symptoms, take your dog to the vet.
Keep your dog warm
Provide a comfortable indoor temperature and bedding after anesthesia. Avoid heating pads or direct heat that can burn. Marked coldness, overheating, persistent severe grogginess or worsening condition needs prompt veterinary advice.
Keep your dog away from other animals or kids
Dogs become aggressive when they are in pain. The pain of the surgery and the disorientation due to anesthesia may make your dog irritable and he or she might lash out during the first two days post surgery. Hence, it is imperative that you keep your dog isolated from the kids and other pets as part of post surgery dog care.
These symptoms are temporary and your dog will go back to being his or her sweet self on no time. In case their is a chance that your other dogs may try to play or roughhouse with the dog who was in surgery, keep the sick dog away from other dogs for a period of 10-14 days at least.
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Allow your dog to rest on the floor
A major part of post surgery dog care is to avoid any kind of exertion. If your dog tries to climb on the sofa or the bed, this will cause unnecessary exertion and may even reopen the stitches. Therefore, it is advised to have a resting place set up on the floor for your dog.
Even though the anesthesia wears off in a few days post surgery, the effects and the grogginess might still prevail. It may be hard for your dog to tackle the obstacles for a few days. Thus it is advised that your dog should be allowed to rest at a place which is not too far from the door as part of the post surgery dog care routine.
Make sure your dog drinks water
Offer drinking water as instructed once your dog is alert enough to swallow safely. Do not force water or leave a severely groggy dog unattended with it. Call the clinic for persistent inability to drink or vomiting.
Give your dog a bland diet
Follow the discharge feeding plan. Many dogs can eat a small portion of their usual food once alert; gastrointestinal procedures may need a specific prescription diet. Chicken and rice is not automatically appropriate or nutritionally complete for prolonged feeding. Do not force-feed.
Contact the clinic about vomiting after discharge, especially if repeated, associated with pain or lethargy, or preventing water intake. Do not assume vomiting is simply a normal effect of surgery.
Related post: Upset stomach in dogs: causes, symptoms and remedies
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Take your dog outside every few hours
Dogs are pumped in IV fluids during the surgery to keep them hydrated. This will cause your dog to urinate more once he or she is it off anesthesia. Your dog may be disoriented and have accidents in case he or she is not provided regular opportunities to go outside as part of the post surgery dog care routine.
There is also a chance that your pup may pee when sleeping. Therefore, make them sleep on something which would be easily washable. Alternatively, you can put washable or waterproof material over the bedding so it can be cleaned easily.
Related post: Why do dogs drink their urine?
Stop your dog from licking his or her own wounds
Prevent licking continuously until the surgeon clears the incision. Use a correctly fitted cone or an approved protective alternative that actually blocks access, including overnight and when unsupervised.
Keep your dog on a short leash for two weeks post surgery
Do not let your dog jump, run or walk too fast. Your dog may try to run due to all the pent up energy that accumulated when the dog was recuperating in the hospital. Hence, keep the leash short and do not let your dog walk too fast or run during the post surgery dog care period. Even if they don’t understand it, it’s for their own benefit and a crucial part of post surgery dog care.
Keep the stitches dry
Keep the incision dry until the surgeon permits bathing. Use sheltered, brief leash toilet trips; do not wrap plastic directly around the incision unless specifically instructed.
Manage your dog’s emotional state
A very important part of post surgery dog care is keeping a close eye on your dog’s behavior. if your dog is barking excessively, restless, pacing, whining, painting too much, you must contact the veterinarian. These are the signs that your dog is under some kind of distress.
When you are home, spend time with your dog. Show him or her that you are their with him or her. If you have to leave the house for a while, make sure your dog is in a room away from the other animals and kids. Put a relaxing music on or the television on at a low volume. Try not to be gone for too long. Taking care of your dog’s emotional state is as important as caring for his or her physical state in the post surgery dog care routine.
Use a cold compress to reduce swelling
Report substantial scrotal swelling, bruising, bleeding or pain to the surgeon promptly. Use a cold compress only if instructed, with a cloth barrier and the surgeon’s specified duration; never apply ice directly.
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Conclusion
Following the surgeon’s discharge plan supports recovery but cannot guarantee prevention of complications. Seek emergency care for breathing difficulty, collapse, uncontrolled bleeding or an opened wound; call the clinic promptly about worsening pain, swelling, discharge or repeated vomiting.
Is their any other tip about post surgery dog care that you think others must be aware of? Mention them
in the comment section. In case you have any questions about this blog post, any other blog post or about dog care in general, feel free to contact me on any of my social media channels or leave your queries in the comment section. I will be happy to help you out.
See you in my next blog post
Shruti
Frequently asked questions
Recovery depends on the procedure and the individual dog. Skin incisions often begin healing over 10–14 days, whereas major orthopedic recovery may take months. Follow the surgeon’s recheck and rehabilitation plan.
Feed the diet and amount specified at discharge. A gastrointestinal operation may require a prescribed diet; do not automatically add pumpkin or yogurt or switch to chicken and rice.
Arrange close supervision after discharge as advised by the clinic. Leave your dog only when sufficiently alert and stable, safely confined with incision protection, and for a duration approved for the procedure and medicines.
Panting may reflect pain, anxiety, heat or a complication. Contact the clinic if it is persistent or new. Labored breathing, pale or blue gums, collapse or severe distress requires emergency care.
If your dog is smelling bad after surgery, it might be due to a possible infection of the incision site. If you notice this, it is best to call your vet, so that the course of treatment can be modified to help the wounds heal better.
