Recovering From Surgery (“Maddie” in an Elizabethan collar)

Friday, January 12th, 2007 by Elle Woloszuk 0 Comments

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Tips to help you and your beloved pet through the recovery of post surgery:

1.Always have an emergency contact number for your veterinarian or the after hours hospital affiliate.

2. Fully understand the recommendations and follow-up procedures determined by your vet. Have them in writing so you can refer back to them. Ask questions if you need to.

These might easily get overlooked:

3. Do not expect your pet to eat normally. Feed him more frequently but less than half the amount he is used to at each feeding. He needs good nutrition to heal, but will not accept so much at one time.

4. Make sure you are available to help your pet outside to relieve himself several times a day. If your pet is recovering from orthopedic, bone, or joint surgery, make sure you have a sling to help support his weight if he is too big to carry out.

5. No Stairs. If your pet has gone through surgery that involved abdominal or orthopedic procedures, you should carry the dog up and down the stairs. He should not be allowed up on the couch or bed. The internal sutures or false ligaments could be destroyed when your pet tries to climb or jump. This could be a major setback in the healing process.

6. Let your pet have a quiet and safe place to rest and be undisturbed. A crate is best to guarantee their activity is restricted.

7. Make sure your pet has an Elizabethan Collar at home for when you can’t watch him. This will not allow any possibility that he will chew on or remove sutures, bandages or splints. He could create a major problem for himself and an expensive one for you. He may have to go through anesthesia and surgery to repair damage. During the night is a must for this collar.