The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that dogs are the most popular pets in America. More than 38 percent of households in America own a dog, as compared to 25.4 percent of households that have a cat. Dogs have been man’s best friends for the longest of time, and their position shall remain the same in the future as well.
If you have a dog, then you’re likely quite familiar with their post-surgery blues. This can be something that happens with any type of surgery, but it’s especially common with surgeries that involve incisions or other invasive procedures. Even though your pooch is home, it might not be acting like itself and won’t want to eat or drink anything.
In this article, we’re going to go over some ways that you can help them feel better now so they can get back to their usual selves soon.
Focus on a Healthy Diet
It is important that you have a healthy diet for your dog. Your vet will be able to guide you on the right amount of food, but there are some general rules to follow when feeding your pet after surgery.
Feed your dog smaller portions more frequently than usual while they recover from surgery. This prevents them from gastric bloat. You should also avoid foods that are high in fat or sugar as these could cause diarrhea or vomiting, which may make their recovery take longer than expected.
If you want to know how much food your dog should eat, ask your vet. They will be able to tell you if they think your dog needs more or less than normal based on their age and weight. It is important not to overfeed your dog as this can cause health problems such as obesity which may result in additional medical costs down the line.
Monitor Your Dog’s Exercise Level
Exercise is important to your dog, but there are some things to keep in mind. How much exercise they should have depends on their age and health. If they’re young and healthy, more exercise can be beneficial. However, older dogs or those with medical issues may not be able to handle as much physical exertion.
Regardless of the dog’s age or health, though, all dogs should avoid strenuous exercise for one month after surgery. Instead of running around the yard or playing tug-of-war with your pup, try low-impact activities such as walking at a slow pace around the block or doing a few jumping jacks together.
Also, avoid anything that puts pressure on the incision site, like jumping off furniture or climbing stairs until it has healed completely.
Use the Right Medications
If your dog is in pain after surgery, it’s important to get them the right medication. But before doing so, you should always check with their vet first. Your vet will be able to tell you which type of medication is best for your pet and how much they need to take.
While there are many different types of medications available, some common ones include painkillers like Rimadyl for dogs. Rimadyl is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that help relieves pain and makes it easier for dogs to move around after surgery. Always follow the dosage instructions carefully, as too much of the medication can cause toxicity or an overdose.
Prevent Licking and Chewing
If your dog has undergone surgery to remove a tumor or other growth, it’s important to keep the area dry and clean. This can be achieved by applying topical antibiotics and using an Elizabethan collar to prevent licking.
If your dog is prone to chewing or licking their wound, try using bandages that are designed specifically for post-surgery wounds. These will not only help protect the injury from further damage but also ward off any infection that may develop during recovery time.
Another option for treating post-operative licks is an Elizabethan collar, which works by preventing access to the injured area while still allowing them some freedom of movement around the rest of their body.
Observe Any Obvious Signs of Complications
If you notice any signs of complications, contact your vet right away. You may think that a minor complication will go away on its own or that it’s not worth making a fuss over, but this is not the case. Complications can be subtle, and they often get worse before they get better.
Some common symptoms include:
- Blood in the urine
- Pain or swelling in the leg
- Unusual bleeding
Keep Their Environment Safe
After surgery, it is important that you keep your dog’s environment safe. This will help them heal quickly and prevent any further injury. To do this, make sure there are no items within reach that might harm them. If they can’t get to these things, there won’t be any accidents.
Do not allow your dog to jump up on furniture or beds while they are recovering from surgery. This could cause additional pain and discomfort while they recover, especially if they have stitches or staples in their body.
Provide a Comfortable Bed
Provide a comfortable bed. Your dog will be sore, so keep them off of the floor when they are recovering and invest in a good dog bed or mattress. Market analysis suggests that the global pet care market will grow at a CAGR of 5.1% from 2022 to 2030.
This means that the variety of products available in the pet care market will be plenty. Therefore, you should buy a bed that is thick enough to cushion their body from the hard floor.
Make sure the bed is not too high. If your dog has hip problems, lifting them into an elevated position can cause pain and make its current condition worse. A pillow or blanket on top of their usual sleeping surface will provide more support for them than another blanket alone would without making them work too hard to climb onto it.
Conclusion
It can be hard for you as a pet owner to know if your dog is recovering from surgery. Factors like age, breed, and medical history can all affect how quickly they heal. If your dog is not showing signs of improvement within a week or so after surgery, it’s important to contact your veterinarian.
Dogs take time to recover from surgery. Patience and care are needed in the days following an operation. As time goes by, however, dogs can improve with time. Hopefully, these tips will help you and your dog get through this difficult time.
