HomeTopics...Animal PainPost Surgical Care
Post-Surgical Care for Pets
Although the prospect of having surgery performed on your beloved pet may be upsetting, losing your pet or having him live in pain is much worse. Among the more common pet surgeries performed are:
- spaying or neutering
- fixing broken or fractured bones
- repairing ligament or joint damage
- cancer tumor removal
- removal of kidney or bladder stones
-
declawing.
Post-Surgical Help
Caring for a sick pet is stressful. Your veterinarian should provide you with guidelines for the safety and care of your pet.
When your pet is recovering keep the following helpful hints in mind:
-
To avoid a trip to the vet for damage repair, never let your pet scratch, lick or bite stitches.
-
Carefully follow the instructions that the veterinarian gives you and be ready to report any changes in your pet's condition.
-
Call your veterinarian if any problems develop or if your pet's condition doesn't improve.
-
Keep your recovering patient in a quiet, warm and comfortable part of the house.
-
Don't let a recovering pet go outside until your veterinarian tells you it's okay.
-
Limit your pet's exercise to prevent unnecessary strain and stress to the injury.
-
Follow all veterinary instructions and watch your pet for signs of a new illness or lack of recovery.
- Above all, give your pet love and attention.
What to Expect After Surgery
Always watch your pet for signs of continued illness or a negative change in his condition. If your pet doesn't seem to be recovering, you should consult the veterinarian to determine whether or not he needs a different treatment plan.
The following chart is an overview of common surgical procedures and what to expect after you bring your pet home from the hospital.
|
Procedure |
Recovery Time |
Recovery Tips |
|
tooth extraction |
a few days |
Feed soft food; watch for signs of eating problems. |
|
declawing |
about 10 days |
Don't let your cat outside; do not use clay litter. |
|
typical laceration |
10 to 14 days |
Don't let your pet scratch or bite at stitches; watch for any inflammation, pus, or other complications. |
|
castration (cat) |
2 weeks |
Little or no extra care is needed. Simply observe your cat for any signs of trouble. |
|
castration (dog) |
2 weeks |
No heavy exercise; prevent clawing, scratching or chewing at stitches. |
|
spaying |
2 weeks |
Prevent clawing or chewing at stitches and discourage heavy exercise. |
|
typical abscess |
6 to 8 weeks |
Your pet may have a drainage tube that requires daily flushing; watch for inflammation. |
|
orthopedics |
6 to 8 weeks |
Check bandages often; don't let your pet walk on slippery surfaces. |
