Help After Post-surgery of Pets

Post-operative care for pets. There is no standard procedure for this. Surgery for each cat and dog is different.

For the first 12-24 hours after surgery, most of the pets feel tired and sleepy. They need to take rest, for fast recovery.

Many pet owners take their pets after surgery and then panic because they do not know what to do.

Talk to your veterinarian and will help you to figure out the right course.

Helping Your Pets Recover After Surgery
The smallest surgeries are harmful, pets must have time to heal and rest once they get home. 

After the dog's or cat’s surgery, you will likely be asked to give medicines on time and to look after the surgery areas.

A task given by a veterinary professional can be a bit overwhelming to a pet owner. What to expect and what to watch for can be helpful. 

Specify medical care and instructions will change depending on the nature of your dog's surgery.

In the first couple of days, you will see slow movements of your pet, having poor body control and balance. 

They also feel tired and sleepy. The steps should be taken to prevent trouble or injury.

Keep your dog warm, but not hot. Due to the effects of anesthesia, your pet’s temperature lowers down and they feel cold, only for the first few days. 

Need to keep your dog or cat away from other pets for 10-14 days. Other pets might lick your dog's or cat's wound or play with him intensely. 

This is a time when a dog or cat might snap or bite at other pets or even children. Take them outside every few hours the day after the surgery.

Healing spaying wounds or other scars from internal surgeries. Check to see the wound and the original length of the scar is not infected, be careful if it seems to get any large or row of stitches holding together the edges of a wound or surgical cut is left undone.

The fluids got during the operation will make your pet urinate frequently. Give water - would not feel thirsty, but will need liquids more than usual. 

Slow-moving and sleepy dogs and cats may drop their heads in the water and drown. The best way to give water is with a water feeder.

Proper care after surgery helps a dog or cat to heal faster and reduces infections and complications. 

The vet will give you the instructions for cleaning the wound. It is advised to change bandages 2-3 times a day and just do checking every few days.

A dog and cat have a habit of licking. If your dog or cat has a wound, they will probably try to lick it, because of an infection. 

During this period best part was to wear E-collar (Elizabeth Collar). The E-collar can be useful when used properly and can help protect your dog's or cat’s cut. 

E-collar is needed for up to two weeks after the surgery while your dog is recovering.

Take short leashed walks for the first two weeks. Do not let them walk much or run and jump. This might be hard for the first couple of days. Keep it dry. 

Avoid baths for the first couple of weeks in most cases. If your dog or cat needs a bath you can use dry bath shampoo. Your vet may help you more.

After Surgery Signs and Symptoms and Caring
A pet can become constipated during times of illness, and on occasion, after anesthesia and surgery.

During constipation, little amounts of small, dry, hard stool pass feces. They make frequent attempts while trying to pass stool.

Your dog or cat will urinate usually after surgery. If your dog is in pain, it may be slow while moving and unwilling to move around, and the way of standing to urinate also changes.

You can wear your pet's diaper for sudden urination. Pet’s wiper you can get in your local pet shop or on an online site.

Your dog or cat may need help to go outside for urination. Ask your vet how to carry your dog or cat outside safely or support your dog, if needed.

Dogs or cats that are pain-free are more likely to want to get up, move around, and eat after surgery. Pain management is an important part of dog surgery aftercare.

Managing pets' pain will help them feel better, positively influence their recovery. Talk with your veterinarian about what the pain-management plan is going to be.

The dog or cat could have a reduced appetite after surgery. After surgery, like pain, fever, infection, swelling, and stress.

Sometimes, your vet may send home a special diet. This could be for long-term or short-term for only a short time.

If your dog or cat is vomiting after surgery, it is not normal for your pets to vomit after surgery; it could be due to pain, medicine, or from anesthesia, fever, infection, swelling, or difficulties of the surgery.

Call your veterinarian right away for opinions about what could or should be done about a situation.

The pet may come home with stitches after surgery. Stitch material should be absorbable or non-absorbable.

Absorbable stitches do not require removal, well non-absorbable stitches almost always do.

After discharge, be sure to ask your vet, if and when your pet's stitches need to come out. Stitches are removed 14 days after surgery if there are no difficulties.

If you see changes in your pet's breathing, constant panting and heavy breathing are not normal after surgery. Check with your veterinarian right away.