Dogs need love and care too after a major surgery. Most dogs will not feel too well after major surgery, and will usually be very passive for the first few days until they have completely recovered. Make the recovery stage faster for your pet dog by caring for it after surgery. Here’s how.
- Sanitize. After surgery, one of the biggest problems that you will need to face is germs and bacteria. Because the wound is still fresh, the possibility of getting infections is very high. One of the best ways to prevent this is proactively – by preventing the growth of germs. As much as possible, do not let your dog sleep in his old kennel immediately, since kennels will have a fair amount of germs. If this cannot be helped, change the covers and clean the kennel thoroughly. Spray antibacterial agents as well, such as alcohol or other disinfectants.
- Calm the dog. The dog can be weak but may also be very panicky after the surgery, especially if the wound is making the dog uncomfortable. At the same time, after the surgery the dog needs plenty of rest and should not be allowed to move too much. Do this by calming your dog down. Do not allow small children or other dogs to play with him. If you have other pets in the house, keep them outside of the house while you keep the recently operated dog indoors.
- Use a leash. If the dog is difficult to restrain, you can use a leash to keep him in place. This will limit his movement and prevent him from visiting places that may have germs, and from playing with other dogs and people which could result in a rupture in the sutures.
- Use an e-collar. Another issue which dogs face when they have recently undergone major surgery is itching. The wound can be very itchy for the first few days after the surgery. When the wound is itching, the tendency is for the dog to lick at the wound, which can unfasten the sutures and cause further complications. To prevent this, you can use an e-collar that will keep the dog from licking itself. Usually, the dog will not scratch the wound with his feet, since it will be too painful, so you will not have to worry too much about scratching.
- Food. When people get surgery, the food that is given after the operation is usually mild and rich in nutrients so that the body will not have a difficult time processing and digesting the food. The same rule applies for dogs. Use boiled chicken combined with a bit of rice to prevent upset stomach. This is also easier for the dog to eat, and will not irritate the digestive tract. Apart from the food, be sure to give the dog the medicine it needs.
Finally, make sure that you pay attention to your dog after the attention. If you hear the dog crying, it can be a sign of some trouble. Heed and visit your dog. Even if it’s just a pat on the head, you should give it to show your love and support for your pet.