Ensuring your dog's comfort and quick recovery after surgery is a top priority for every pet owner. Effective pain management plays a crucial role in this process, helping to ease your dog's discomfort and speed up their return to normal activities. In today's post, our Ypsilanti vets explain what you can expect following your dog's surgery, and how to keep them comfortable.
Follow Your Vet's Post-Op Instructions
Surgery can be a source of stress for pet owners and dogs alike. But knowing what to expect when your pup is recovering from surgery can be critical to helping your companion return to their normal, active lifestyle.
Regardless of which kind of surgery your dog has been scheduled for, your surgeon, vet, or specialist will provide precise instructions for the post-operative care you will need to provide your pet afterward. Make sure you follow your vet's instructions closely since they may be both specific and important depending on the kind of surgery your dog has undergone.
Nonetheless, a few basic tips can help you keep your pet safe and comfortable while they recover and return to normal.
What to Expect After Surgery
Most veterinary surgeries require the use of general anesthetics. These knock your pet out and prevent them from feeling pain during the procedure, but they can take some time to wear off afterward. The general anesthetic's lingering effects may leave your dog a little sleepy or shaky on its feet. These are normal side effects and should disappear pretty quickly.
Other side effects you may notice include more subdued behavior than usual, feeling bruised or sore, and a temporary lack of appetite.
Feeding Your Dog After Surgery
Your dog may feel a little queasy or lose their appetite after surgery. When it's time to feed them, try offering your pet a light meal, about half or even a quarter the size they usually eat, composed of things like rice or chicken, which are a bit easier for them to digest. You should be able to see your pet's appetite return within 24 hours of their surgery. At this time, they should be able to gradually return to eating their regular diet.
Contact your vet or veterinary surgeon if your dog's appetite doesn't return within 48 hours. Loss of appetite can also indicate pain or infection.
It's important to note that feeding your dog a nutritious diet while they are recovering and on a regular day-to-day basis is a key element of caring for your pet's overall health. If you are unsure about the best food for your dog, speak to your vet. Your vet will be able to recommend food with all the key ingredients your dog needs for optimal health, and they will be able to calculate the right number of calories to feed your pet to maintain a healthy weight.
Managing Your Pet's Pain After Surgery
After your pet's surgery, the veterinarian will explain the medicine that can be offered to manage your dog's pain. They will provide instructions on the medications' dosage, administration, and frequency. Following the vet's instructions closely is important to prevent pain and avoid any potential side effects.
Post-surgery pain relief for dogs usually involves a combination of prescription medications. These may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, and local anesthetics tailored to your pet's specific needs. NSAIDs like carprofen or meloxicam are commonly prescribed to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. Opioids such as tramadol may be used for more severe pain, while local anesthetics can provide targeted pain relief during and immediately after surgery.
The two most commonly prescribed medications for pets after surgery are antibiotics to prevent infection and pain medication to relieve post-op discomfort. If your dog is anxious or high-strung, the vet may also prescribe a sedative or anti-anxiety medication to help keep it calm during the healing process.
It's important to note that home remedies are not recommended. However, if you have a remedy in mind to help your pet feel better, it's best to call your vet to ask if the ingredients are safe for pets. Never give human medications to your pet without consulting your veterinarian first, as many drugs that help humans can be toxic to dogs.
Keeping Your Dog Comfortable When They Get Home
After surgery, it's key to make sure your dog has a comfortable and quiet place to rest, away from children and other pets. If your dog generally curls up on a small bed to sleep, you may want to get a larger one for them so their incision site isn't pulled. Allowing your dog to spread out may help them feel better and recover more quickly.
Restricting Your Pet's Movement
Regardless of why your pet is having surgery, your vet will likely recommend limiting your dog's activities and movement for a period of time following the operation. Sudden stretching and jumping movements can interfere with the healing process and may even cause the incision to reopen.
Most surgeries won't require significant confinement, like complete "crate rest," to aid in recovery. Most pets cope well with being kept indoors for a few days. However, it can often be more difficult to stop your pup from jumping onto furniture or climbing stairs. Preventing these behaviors will be key to making sure they don't injure themselves or reopen their incision site.
Helping Your Dog When Cage-Rest is Required
However, Orthopedic surgeries often require strict limits to your pup's movement for optimal recovery. If your vet recommends that your dog get crate rest following surgery, there are some ways to help your dog adjust to its confinement and get comfortable with spending more time in its crate.
Make sure that your dog's crate is big enough for your dog to stand up and turn around. If your dog requires a plastic cone or 'E-Collar' to prevent licking, you may need to purchase a larger crate for your dog to recover in. You will also need to ensure that there is plenty of room for food and water dishes without risking spills that can cause your dog's bedding and bandages to become soiled and wet.
Caring for Your Pet's Incision Site
Preventing your dog from biting, chewing, or scratching at their bandages or incision site can be challenging. A plastic cone-shaped Elizabethan collar (available in hard and softer versions) effectively prevents your pup from reaching the wound. Dogs can often adjust to wearing a cone collar within a couple of hours, but if your dog struggles to get used to wearing a cone, there are other options available. Speak to your vet about effective and less cumbersome options such as donut-style collars or post-surgery jumpsuits (medical pet shirts).
Your Pet's Stitches
Your vet will generally remove staples or stitches about two weeks after the procedure. Depending on the specific surgery, these stitches may dissolve inside your dog's wound as it heals. Your vet will tell you what kind of stitches they used during the procedure.
Regardless of which type of stitches your veterinary surgeon uses, you will still need to prevent your dog from licking the wound to prevent infection and allow the wound to heal.
Your Pet's Bandages
Another key element of helping your dog's incision heal quickly is keeping bandages dry at all times. When your dog goes outside, ensure the bandages are covered with a plastic bag or cling wrap to protect them from damp or wet grass. Remove the plastic covering as soon as your pet comes back inside. Leaving the plastic over the bandage could cause sweat to collect under the bandage and lead to an infection.
Don't Skip Your Dog's Follow-Up Appointment
Your pet's follow-up appointment allows your vet to monitor its progress and check for any signs of infection before it becomes more serious.
Your dog's bandages mustn't be left on for too long after their procedure. Not changing them at the right time may cause pressure sores or even affect the blood flow to the area around their wound. Instead of changing the bandages yourself, it's a good idea to let the specially trained professionals at your vet's office handle this.
If your pet's bandage falls off between appointments, or you notice swelling, blood seeping through the bandages, or an unpleasant odor at the incision site, make an appointment with your vet immediately.
Keeping Your Doggie Happy During Recovery
Dogs don't understand when they are recovering from surgery and will probably become quite frustrated with their reduced activity level, the itchiness of their incision site as it heals and the lack of stimulation following their surgery. You must provide your pet with love, stimulation, and reassurance in safe ways.
Keep your pup amused with a rotating selection of gentle games that won't cause any stretching or jumping, such as dog-friendly chew toys or squeaky playthings. Limit the number of toys you offer your dog to one or two items at a time, and switch to a different toy regularly to help prevent boredom.
Treats can be a great way to cheer your dog up, but remember that your pup's reduced activity level means it burns fewer calories. Too many treats can equal too much of a good thing.
Remember that simply taking some time out of your busy day to sit quietly with your pup, stroking their fur, and chatting with them calmly can help your dog stay calm and feel loved.
Typical Recovery Times For Pets Following Surgery
Soft tissue operations like neutering and spaying, abdominal surgeries, and more tend to have quicker recovery times than surgeries affecting bones, ligaments, and joints. Soft tissue surgeries are generally 80% healed after 2-3 weeks and are often completely healed by 6 weeks.
Conversely, surgeries involving bones and ligaments will likely take much longer and are usually around 80% healed after about 8 - 12 weeks, although it can take as long as six months for your pet to recover completely following surgeries such as those to repair a torn cruciate ligament (CCL).
Reassurance for Loving Pet Parents
Dog owners will often feel guilty about restricting their dog's movement for a long period of time. But try to remember that dogs will often bounce back from surgery much quicker than people, and by following your vet's post-surgical care instructions, you are doing your best to help your dog recover quicker and return to their normal, happy, and healthy self.
Non-Pharmacological Pain Management
In addition to medications, non-pharmacological approaches can significantly reduce discomfort and promote healing. Cold therapy, for instance, can help minimize swelling and numb the affected area, providing immediate pain relief. Gentle massage can enhance circulation and relieve muscle stiffness, while controlled exercise, such as short, slow walks, can prevent stiffness and encourage healing without overexerting your dog.
Monitoring and Communication
Closely monitoring your dog's recovery is essential. Watch for any signs of pain, such as whimpering, restlessness, or reluctance to move. It's also important to be vigilant for adverse medication reactions, such as vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy. If you notice any concerning symptoms, contact your vet immediately.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.