Pets

Post-Op Care for the Pup

  A P

Administrative Supervisor and Marketing Specialist, Bluegrass Veterinary Specialists + Animal Emergency

Sometimes your beloved pet has an accident, breaks a bone, or requires invasive surgery to remove a tumor or necrotic tissue from their body. What many pet owners don’t realize is that surgery is just the first step, and much of their pet’s surgical success depends on their post-op care.

Preparation is key.

For any orthopedic surgery where bones or joints are being corrected, your pet will need to spend at least 6-8 weeks on strict crate rest while their body heals. If your pet has never been kenneled before, this can be stressful for all involved. It is essential to crate train your pet prior to any planned surgery to acclimate them for the recovery process. While your pet’s veterinarian can prescribe anti-anxiety medication and sedatives, it is best not to rely solely on these methods to keep your pet calm.

Follow-up care.

Your pet will likely need to wear a cone until their incision heals. If the cone is removed too soon, your pet may lick their incision and cause an infection or new injury. Schedule follow-up appointments with the surgeon or your primary veterinarian to assess the healing of the incision. Depending on your vet’s recommendation, rechecks may be as infrequent as every 2-4 weeks, or as often as daily for routine bandage changes to the affected area.

Rehabilitation and activity restriction.

For any orthopedic surgery, your pet is likely to need to some form of rehabilitation to regain functional use of their affected limb. The surgeon will send you home with a list of various exercises. Commitment to these exercises on the proper schedule will help your pet have the best outcome from their surgery. Your pet may need assistance using the bathroom and will not be allowed to do things like run, jump on furniture, or play with other pets in the first few days post-op.

Diet changes.

For intense gastrointestinal surgeries, your pet may need to be on a bland diet initially following the surgery. This change could be for a few days or could be lifelong, depending on your pet’s condition and response to certain foods.