Whether your dog is undergoing routine surgery, such as spaying, or a more complicated procedure, knowing how to properly take care of her afterward can help determine how long her recovery will take. Failing to follow your veterinarian's instructions can lead to injury or infection, which slows the healing process and causes your dog additional pain. Although you'll need to get specific instructions from your veterinarian depending on what type of surgery is scheduled, you can also follow some basic guidelines for post-surgical care.
Things You'll Need
- Medication
- Bland foods
- Elizabethan collar
- Clean cloth
Instructions
Administer medication as instructed by your veterinarian. If your dog is taking antibiotics, make sure he completes the full course to give him the most protection against infection. Try hiding your dog's pill in soft food or wrapping a piece of bologna or cheese around it. If he spits any food out, check it to make sure he swallowed the pill.
Clean your dog's bed or sleeping area to reduce the chance of infection. Move her bed to a warm, quiet location to help her stay comfortable.
Limit your dog's activity to promote healing, prevent nausea and protect the sutures. Do not allow your dog to run, jump or play right after surgery. Introduce light exercise slowly as instructed by your vet. You'll generally need to wait until the incision is fully healed. Place your dog in a crate or small room if necessary. You might also need to hide his toys until he can play again.
Restrict your dog's food and water when you first bring her home to avoid upsetting her stomach. Feed her bland foods such as white rice and boiled chicken if she's having trouble eating her usual food. Try giving her a little bit of her normal food mixed with the rice and chicken. Once she's willing to eat her dog food again, gradually give her more of it while cutting back on the amount of rice and chicken.
Use the Elizabethan collar provided by your veterinarian to keep your dog from licking or chewing the sutures. Check the area daily for signs of infection, such as swelling, redness, discharge or odor. Call your veterinarian immediately if you see any of these signs.
Clean the incision as directed by your veterinarian to reduce the risk of infection. Keeping the wound clean generally involves using warm water and a cloth.
Watch your dog for signs of an adverse reaction to the anesthetic used for his surgery. Normal side effects, such as disorientation, vomiting and lethargy, occur during the first 24 hours following the operation. Take him to your veterinarian if these symptoms last longer than one day.