Post-Surgical Care for Your Pet: A Helpful Guide
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Undergoing an operation can be scary, both for the patient and those who care for them. This is no different when it’s your furry friend, especially if you’re responsible for their post-op wound care. The first thing to remember is that every surgery is unique. The best thing you can do is be vigilant.
What are some steps to prepare?
Table of contents
#1 Know When to Defer to the Experts #2 Set Up the Home for Their Arrival A Small, Quiet Space #3 Adjust Their Regular Activities Limiting Time Outside Restrict Movement #4 Monitor Wound Healing Wound Maintenance Signs of Infection Always Proceed With Caution and Care Vetericyn is Your At-Home Partner for Surgery Recovery Care
#1 Know When to Defer to the Experts
Always follow your veterinarian’s instructions carefully.
When you pick your pet up after surgery, ask for a written list of detailed care instructions. Have them walk you through each step so you are comfortable with the care you’ll have to do at home.
#2 Set Up the Home for Their Arrival
Before picking your pet up from the clinic, prepare your home with the essentials they’ll need to be comfortable as soon as they walk (or you carry them) through the door.
A Small, Quiet Space
In the days following an operation, prevent your pet from moving around too much.
For one, they’ll be wobbly and perhaps disoriented from any anesthetics or painkillers. You want to limit their chances of tripping or falling and causing more damage. Too much activity can delay healing, cause other injuries, and lead to infections.
There are a few ways to limit your pet’s activity:
- A crate – This may be your best option. If your pet is rambunctious and energetic, they won’t be able to resist when they have free rein of the house. Put the crate in a frequently used room to prevent loneliness.
- A small room – If you have a small den or an unused small space, you can equip it with a comfy bed, litter box, and other necessities. You can also move your pet from their crate into a quiet room after a few days, once recovery is in full swing.
#3 Adjust Their Regular Activities
For the weeks following your animal’s surgery, you’ll need to make changes to your routine and their behavior to help prevent re-injury or infection.
Limiting Time Outside
This likely will not go over well with your furry friend, especially if they love playing outdoors and taking long walks, but they should only be allowed outside to go to the bathroom. Do not let them roam freely.
Instead, keep them on a short leash and observe them closely. Your vet will let you know whether your pet needs a sling to help them walk or a bandage to protect the site while outside.
They may have to urinate more often after surgery. Take them outside more often—it might be inconvenient for you, but not urinating is uncomfortable and potentially dangerous for them. After a few days, they still need to be watched closely, but may be off-leash, depending on your vet’s directions.
Restrict Movement
You should continue to limit your pet’s mobility within the house even after they don’t need to be confined to a small space. You’ll need to keep very energetic pets in a smaller enclosure or a crate for longer.
Block off a small area of your home with secure baby gates. Confine your pet to a room you’re in a lot, such as the living room or kitchen, so you can easily keep an eye on them and keep them company. Keep them away from stairs; they are more likely to fall up or down them, and the increased motion can be harmful to their recovery.
#4 Monitor Wound Healing
Check the surgical site regularly to ensure it’s healing.
Wound Maintenance
In addition to the antibiotics or painkillers prescribed by the veterinarian, use topical liquids and gels to help it heal:
- Cleansing spray – Clean any unwanted debris and bacteria from the site using a wound care liquid. This will decrease the risk of infection, promote healing, and relieve pain and itching.
- Antibacterial treatment – Apply a non-toxic antimicrobial hydrogel to the wound site to provide a cooling, comforting sensation and the right amount of moisture needed for a speedy recovery.
Vetericyn Antimicrobial Wound Care Spray and Hydrogel are non-toxic, don’t sting, and relieve pain and itch on contact. They help you promote healing, prevent infection, and keep your pet comfortable. Most veterinarians will send your pet home with an E-collar after surgery to prevent biting and scratching at the surgery site.
Signs of Infection
After surgery, the skin may have visible stitches, scabs, or appear swollen. It’s important to know what is normal for the surgery site and what an infection looks like. Here are a few common signs of infection at the surgery site that warrant a trip to the vet:
- Oozing, thick, discolored fluid
- Extreme swelling or redness
- Foul odor
- Hard to the touch
- Large gaps between sutures, which may be bleeding or oozing
Always Proceed With Caution and Care
In most cases, your pet’s surgery recovery will be simple and straightforward. Most veterinarians schedule regular rechecks after surgery to monitor healing, answer questions, and remove the stitches. However, if you become worried between recheck visits, call your veterinarian.
Vetericyn is Your At-Home Partner for Surgery Recovery Care
Surgery is stressful for you and your pet. Talk to your vet beforehand so you know what to expect. Prepare your home, manage your schedule so someone’s available to monitor your furry patient, watch for signs of infection, and go to all recheck appointments.
Vetericyn is here to help make this all a little easier. Our animal wellness products are specially formulated for a variety of pet care needs across species. Visit our catalog to learn more.
Reviewed by Dr. Kathy Adamson
Dr. Kathy Adamson earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine.
She completed a one-year small animal medicine and surgery internship at the North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine. Alongside her studies, Kathy worked in a research lab, contributing as an author and co-author to various journal articles.
She has also pursued medical writing and editing certification through the University of Chicago Graham School. Currently, she runs KMA Veterinary & Medical Writing, a freelance medical writing company, serves as the Digital Content Manager for the Greater Chicago Area Chapter of the American Medical Writers Association, is a member of the AMWA Communications Committee, and enjoys writing about healthcare topics for people and their cherished pets.
Sources:
- PetMD. How to Care for Your Pet After Surgery. https://aescparker.com/how-to-care-for-a-pet-after-surgery/
- Animal Emergency & Specialty Center. How to Care for a Pet After Surgery. https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/how-care-your-pet-after-surgery
