Tips for caring for your dog after surgery including a checklist of questions for the veterinarian and common sense suggestions to keeping it healthy and comfortable.
The Veterinarian Knows Best
Whether the surgery your dog has undergone was a common surgery, such as a tooth extraction or neutering, or something more serious, such as repair of a broken bone, your veterinarian does know best. Ask for and make sure you understand all recommendations even if you have dealt with another pet in a similar situation, as each situation is different and will carry with it its own risks and peculiarities. Some points to clarify with your veterinarian before taking your pet home include:
Double check the clinics phone numbers including emergency and after hours
Medications to use, length of time to give them, how to administer, do they need to be given with food or extra water, any warning signs to keep an eye out for that would signal your dog is having an adverse reaction to a medication and what to do if you think that is happening
Do any of the medications have side affects to be aware of that are not "˜emergency' situations, but should be brought up at the next regularly scheduled appointment, such as dry skin or bad breath
Are there any medications that are not medically necessary but should be considered for pain control?
Diet restrictions and for how long
Diet changes and will they be permanent
Activity restrictions and for how long
Do they recommend that you keep your dog separated from other family pets, why, and for how long
If your dog is not normally penned, should it be, and for how long
When would the veterinarian like to have the dog back for a re-check?
No good veterinarian will look down on you if you come into an appointment with this checklist in hand, and pen to take note of any answers, that are provided. They are as interested in your dogs' well being after a surgical procedure as you are. After asking and taking note of all of these inquiries, make sure and follow them. Just because your dog appears to be doing well, does not mean that you can discontinue medications, or key areas of care, that were recommended.
Common Sense Care
Be prepared to provide treatment for your dog that you never thought you might find yourself providing. For example, we own a female hound that was struck by a vehicle, which resulted in a severely broken hind leg. The repair required pins, plates, wire, and a long recovery period. Part of the recovery included "˜no stairs'. By the end of her recuperation, she would stop at the top of our porch steps and turn sideways in preparation for one of us picking her up and carrying her down the few steps. Now getting up in years, we can always tell when she is having a "˜stiff' day, as she will stop at the top of the stairs and turn sideways, knowing that we did it in the past, and we will do it again.
Most times, a dog can continue his normal diet, at least as far as texture goes, even after a tooth extraction, but sometimes a soft diet is called for temporarily. This can be accomplished by switching to a canned food if dry is normally given, but this may be too much of a switch to his or her system, bringing on a bout of unneeded diarrhea. You can moisten regular dry food by adding enough warm water to cover it, and letting it sit until it has totally absorbed.
If your pet is on restricted activity and you do not normally leash them when they go out for bathroom duties, invest in a leash and use it. Just because they "˜always' stay by your side and never run off, keep in mind that they are not "˜themselves' for at least a while after undergoing surgery, and while taking medications. This is truly an area where better safe than sorry can save you a lot of worry.
Give them extra love. Dogs can and do become stressed. They have just undergone an ordeal that they had no way to be prepared for. Some animals will not appear bothered by their visit at the vets; others will show their stress in different ways. A bit of extra love and attention, will go a long way towards showing them you understand.
