Like humans, dogs are also prone to accidents, illnesses, and injuries. Some of these cases are not that severe, while others may require immediate medical attention. Sometimes, the illness or accident can be so severe that your dog has to undergo surgery.
For dogs, surgeries are always difficult, especially the major ones that take a lot of time to recover from. While preparing for surgery is hard, it’s even harder to take care of your dog once it undergoes surgery.
Post-operative care for dogs is a stressful and challenging experience. It will test you as well as your dog and might even push you to your limits. Even then, as pet parents, dog owners must do whatever they can to help out their little friend during its time of need.
In this article, we’ll share the complete guidelines that you need to follow to help your dog recover and feel comfortable after a major surgery.
Follow the Vet’s Instructions
All dog surgeries don’t follow the same procedure. Some pet surgeries are simple, while some are rather complex. Therefore, it’s natural that not all surgical procedures are going to be the same, and in the same way, not all post-surgical recoveries will follow the same steps.
This is why one of the first and most vital steps in helping your pooch recover from its surgery is to follow the post-surgical instructions your vet provides.
As mentioned earlier, the instructions will vary depending on the type of surgery your dog had. Some of the general instructions will be the same for almost all operations. These include not letting your dog run or move unobserved, giving it food on time, making sure it’s not missing out on medication dosage, and so on.
Other instructions are likely to be more specific. For instance, if your dog had a tooth removed or a major dental procedure, you will be asked not to give it hard bones or tough dog chews during meal times.
You must follow such instructions carefully to ensure that your dog’s recovery goes smoothly. Failing to do so might lead to complications or even infect or injure the surgical site.
Manage Pain and Discomfort
Surgeries are painful for dogs just as they are for humans. Once they’re out of the operation theater, dogs are always in a lot of pain and discomfort. In such a situation, your vet will likely recommend your dog pain medication, something pet parents frequently use to reduce pain in their pets after surgeries.
The prescription medication your vet might suggest is Rimadyl for dogs. Rimadyl uses the active ingredient carprofen to give relief to dogs suffering from joint pain, joint inflammation, or postoperative pain. This FDA-approved drug will take just one or two hours to show its work and help your dog feel a lot more relieved. Your vet will prescribe the required Rimadyl dosage according to your dog’s weight and age.
Apart from medication, you can also use heating pads to help soothe the dog’s sore muscles and joints. Besides, you should also provide your dog with a soft and comfy bed to sleep on with plenty of pillows and blankets.
Encourage Rest and Limit Your Dog’s Activity
Your dog just had major surgery and will unlikely be unable to move as freely as it did before. However, this won’t immediately register in your dog’s head. It might want to run around and play as usual, but doing that might compromise its health or hurt it again.
Therefore, you must keep an eye on your pooch and make sure it’s getting enough rest throughout the day.
Keep the dog inside a crate or provide a separate space for it inside the house. You can visit and play with your dog every once in a while, but make sure it doesn’t get too excited or worked up. Outdoor walks are encouraged, but only after a week or so of surgery so that the dog can recover to a good extent.
Monitor Your Dog’s Diet
Make sure you’re monitoring your dog’s food and water intake regularly. Dogs lose appetite after surgery, so it’s important that you make sure that your pooch is getting enough food and water throughout the day.
If you notice your dog isn’t eating or drinking as it should, get in touch with your vet.
That’s all for this post. Following this guide will help you take proper care of your dog as it recovers from its surgery. If anything feels off, don’t hesitate to call your vet.
Disclaimer:
Qrius does not provide medical advice
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