Surgery might be a tough and stressful time for humans. However, it’s no different when our four-legged buddies need particular surgery for their condition. Like people, pets also require special post-surgery care for their safety during their healing process.
While waiting for an important call from your vet confirming your dog has awakened from the operation, you might be worried about caring for your pet after surgery. Fortunately, you won’t need to worry about that as that is what we will discuss. Keep reading to find out more.
Five Tips to Care for a Dog Following a Surgery
Surgeries can be distressing for pets and their owners. Their healing process is not that complicated, but the first few weeks after surgery demands special care for your furry buddy. Below we have prepared five simple tips you can do for your pet’s quick healing after surgery.
1. Keep their incision site dry
For the first couple of weeks following your pet’s surgery, do not bathe them. Take note of your vet’s strict instructions. Guarantee their incision site is dry if you plan to go out with your pet for a walk, especially if it’s wet outside. If their incision is under their tummy, never let them lie in dirty or moist areas.
2. Feed them light meals
A general anesthetic can make your canine feel queasy and lose appetite. Give your dog around half their regular meal a few hours after surgery. If they eat everything you serve and still look hungry, you can give them the rest of their meal an hour later. Since some pets experience nausea following general anesthesia, dividing their meals by portion can lessen the risk of throwing up and nausea.
Also, ensure your pet’s teeth remain in good condition so they’ll always have the appetite for the healthy foods you serve. Regularly bringing them to a cat dentist for teeth cleaning can help avoid gum disease or oral-related problems before they worsen.
3. Make a personal space for them
Even when your pet is awake after their surgery, the impacts of anesthesia might still be visible. You might observe your pet wobbling and unable to stand or walk properly. It’s best to keep your pet in a contained and undisturbed area to avoid injuries. If you plan to go out of town while your pet recovers from surgery, you may take them to a Mooresville dog daycare that looks after pets recovering from surgery.
4. Have them use Elizabeth collars
If a dog has a wound they can easily reach, they will probably lick it, and so will their fellow doggies. This is why keeping their “cone” or e-collar on is necessary to keep them from licking their incision. Otherwise, it’ll only take a few minutes before your dog licks and bites out its stitches. Your vet could provide you with one, or you might purchase it from pet shops nearby.
Elizabeth collars should always be ready to avoid wound infections if your pet undergoes surgery. You may check this link to see what dog conditions require surgery.
5. Ensure water is always available for them
Pets may not believe they’re thirsty after their surgery as they might feel weak and lethargic because of the side effects of sedation. However, they will require more liquids than usual following a surgery. Keep a bowl of water near them so they can easily access it and ensure they are hydrated during their recovery process.