When your pet comes home from surgery, proper post-surgery care is essential to a successful recovery. While each pet is unique and each surgery has specific circumstances, these guidelines help limit pain and complications to ensure the quickest, easiest recovery possible.
Instruction
Always follow your veterinarian’s specific set of aftercare instructions for your pet. Ask questions about anything you don’t understand or are concerned about. This is number one in your pet’s recovery process.
Your veterinarian will likely have pre-surgery instructions in addition to post-surgery instructions, and these are just as important to a successful surgery and recovery.
We often hear pet parents say they don’t want to pester us with too many questions. However, we welcome your questions. We want you to be as informed as possible and to make sure we’re on the same page for the safety and comfort of your pet.
Medication
Give medications on time, as directed. It’s easier to prevent pain than to eliminate pain. And pets are in pain after surgery, even if they don’t appear to be. Give full courses of antibiotics as prescribed. If you need assistance with or advice about administration, don’t be afraid to ask.
Never give human medications to pets. Always consult your veterinarian before giving pets any remedies or supplements not prescribed as they can affect how medications work.
Movement
One of the most critical aspects of recovery for many surgeries is movement restriction. Too much movement too soon after surgery is one of the main reasons many pets need additional, corrective surgeries.
Running, jumping, lunging, roughhousing, and, in some cases, performing big stretches stresses sutures, which can slow healing and open wounds.
Restriction usually means dogs need leashed walks for bathroom breaks and, depending on the type of surgery, confinement to a crate or kennel for 7-14 days or longer—until your pet’s veterinarian lifts restrictions. Restrict cats’ access to furniture and high places.
If crate confinement is necessary, make sure it’s large enough for your pet to stand up and turn around in with room for their E-collar. They should also have access to their food and water dishes without being able to spill and risk contaminating their wound.
If you’re worried about your pet being too excitable for the duration of their recovery, ask your veterinarian if a mild sedative is appropriate.
Limit site access
Dogs and cats naturally want to lick their wounds, especially when they begin to heal and itch. Even the most well-behaved pets will do it. However, licking and chewing at surgical wounds can dislodge stitches, open wounds, and introduce bacteria that can cause infection. Keep your pet in an Elizabethan collar or a surgical recovery suit and monitor them well.
Wound care
Wounds need to remain clean and dry. Avoid applying any ointment or creams unless directed by your veterinarian. Generally, you shouldn’t need to touch or handle incision sites unless given specific instruction by your veterinarian. However, you should monitor wounds—checking daily—for signs of inflammation, discharge, bleeding, or foul odor.
For cats you may use a clean litter, such as newspaper, that won’t dust up or get into wounds.
Laser Therapy
Although it isn’t necessary after surgery, laser therapy is a powerful tool that can help with a successful recovery. Laser therapy helps reduce inflammation, speeds healing, and helps ease pain. Laser therapy is quickly becoming a commonplace practice in clinics. If your veterinary clinic offers such therapies, they may discuss these prior to surgery, or you can inquire about them to learn more.
Comfort care
Keeping pets comfortable during recovery isn’t just kind, it can also help keep it on track. Because stress can slow healing, provide pets with a calm, restful environment. Also make sure they have soft, clean bedding to help keep wounds clean and keep them comfortable.
Nutrition and hydration
Sometimes post-surgery care require temporary dietary changes or restrictions. For example, your veterinarian may recommend soft food for a day or two after teeth extractions or giving smaller more frequent meals after an abdominal surgery. During recovery, proper nutrition and fresh, clean water are essential to healing. However, limiting food and water when pets come home the same day of surgery is typical.
When to call your veterinarian
- Excessive swelling or redness at incision site
- Foul odor at incision site
- Excessive pain
- Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
- Persistent coughing/difficulty breathing
- Refusal to eat or drink for more than 24-48 hours
- If you have any questions, concerns, or trouble with care instructions or medication administration
Return for follow up appointments
A follow-up appointment may be necessary as part of the recovery process. Sometimes we see patients during recovery to change bandages, clean wounds, check for signs of infection, or remove sutures. Missing these appointments could compromise recovery.
Proper post-surgery care can mean the difference between a difficult, painful recovery and an easier, faster healing process. If your pet has an upcoming surgery with us and you have questions, contact us here or call (505) 299-9533; we’re happy to help.