How to Care for Your Dog or Cat After a Surgical Procedure

Although surgery may be stressful for both pet owners and animals, knowing how to care for your dog after surgery is crucial to helping your animal recover to its usual, active lifestyle. Regardless of the kind of surgery your dog will have, your specialist, veterinarian, or veterinary surgeon will make sure to provide you with detailed advice on how to care for your pet afterward.

How to make post-operative recovery faster?

There may be particular and essential recommendations depending on the kind of procedure your cat has had. Ensure that you follow your veterinarian’s advice to the letter. Here are some tips for keeping your pet safe and comfortable while you recover and resume their usual routine.

Feeding Your Pet

Following general anesthesia, your dog may get sick and lose its appetite. When it’s time to feed your dog after surgery, a light meal like chicken and rice is a smart option since it’s easier to digest than store-bought dog food.

Your veterinarian will recommend a meal that has all of the vital elements for your dog’s health, as well as the appropriate quantity of calories to feed your pet to maintain a healthy weight. If your dog’s appetite does not return within 48 hours, contact your veterinarian or veterinary surgeon. Appetite loss may also be an indication of disease or pain.

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Managing Pet’s Pain

To minimize unnecessary pain and side effects while your dog recovers, it’s vital that you follow your veterinarian’s recommendations. Consult your veterinarian if you have any queries about the instructions. Your veterinary team is eager to help you with your dog’s recuperation. If your puppy is anxious or frightened, your veterinarian may prescribe a sedative or anti-anxiety medication to help them calm while they recover.

You may also try veterinary acupuncture. It may help relieve discomfort and complement other rehabilitation treatments for your pet.

Restricting Pet Movement

Your veterinarian will advise you to limit your dog’s activity and movement for a period of time after the treatment. Thankfully, most operations do not need prolonged confinement, such as complete ‘crate-rest.’ Most pets adjust nicely to being housebound for a few days. Prevent your dog from climbing the stairs or jumping onto the furniture where they prefer to sleep. If you are unable to supervise your dog directly, confining them to a secure and pleasant environment for a few days may be important to avoid these behaviors.

Taking Care of Wound

Keeping your dog from biting, chewing, or scratching at their bandages or incision site may be tough. An E-collar with a plastic cone shape is a fantastic approach to keep your dog away from the wound. Cone collars normally acclimate dogs within a few hours, but if your dog is having problems, there are other options. Consult your veterinarian about alternatives like donut-style collars or post-surgery jumpsuits.

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Keeping Bandages Clean

Keeping bandages dry at all times is another crucial component of supporting your dog’s wound in healing quickly. When your dog goes outside, keep the bandages covered with a plastic bag or cling wrap to protect them from damp grass. Remove the plastic covering as soon as your pet returns inside. Perspiration may collect underneath the bandage if the plastic is left on top of it, resulting in an infection.

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