• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Animal Behavior College

Animal Behavior College

Where Animal Lovers Pursue Animal Careers

Feefo logo
Live chat
Live chat
800-795-3294
  • Alumni Login
    • Dog Obedience Program Alumni
    • Cat Training Program Alumni
    • Grooming Instruction Program Alumni
    • Veterinary Assistant Program Alumni
    • Veterinary Assistant Program (Canada)
    • Aquarium Maintenance Program Alumni
  • Student Login
    • Cat Training Program
    • Dog Obedience Program
    • Grooming Instruction Program
    • Veterinary Assistant Program
    • Veterinary Assistant Program (Canada)
    • Aquarium Maintenance Program
    • Zookeeper Assistant Program
MENUMENU
  • Programs
    • Dog Training School
      • Tuition
      • Curriculum
      • Alumni Benefits
      • Career
      • Certification
      • Success Stories
      • Students Saving Lives
      • Find A Dog Trainer
    • Veterinary Assistant School
      • Tuition
      • Curriculum
      • Alumni Benefits
      • Careers
      • Success Stories
    • Pet Grooming School
      • Tuition
      • Curriculum
      • Alumni Benefits
      • Careers
      • Success Stories
      • Find A Pet Groomer
    • On Campus Dog Trainer
      • Traditional Classroom Environment in Los Angeles California
    • Continuing Education
      • Short Term Programs
    • Cat Training School
      • Tuition
      • Curriculum
      • Alumni Benefits
      • Careers
    • Aquarium Maintenance School
      • Tuition
      • Curriculum
      • Alumni Benefits
      • Career
    • Zookeeper Assistant School
      • Tuition
      • Curriculum
      • Alumni Benefits
      • Career
  • Military Benefits
  • GI Bill® Benefits
  • Locations
  • About ABC
        • About Animal Behavior College
        • Our Expert Faculty
        • Press, News & Info
        • Press Releases
        • BPPE Disclosures
        • Contact Us
        • Why ABC?
        • Students Saving Lives
        • Licensure, Ratings & Approvals
        • Sponsors & Associates
        • Post a Job
        • Search for a Job
  • Blog
  • Alumni Login
    • Dog Obedience Program Alumni
    • Cat Training Program Alumni
    • Grooming Instruction Program Alumni
    • Veterinary Assistant Program Alumni
    • Veterinary Assistant Program (Canada)
    • Aquarium Maintenance Program Alumni
  • Student Login
    • Cat Training Program
    • Dog Obedience Program
    • Grooming Instruction Program
    • Veterinary Assistant Program
    • Veterinary Assistant Program (Canada)
    • Aquarium Maintenance Program
Home » Health » Post Operative Care for Pets

Post Operative Care for Pets

Chalabala/iStock

Caring for Your Pet After Surgery

By Vesna Ban-Smedberg, RVT

If your pet requires surgery, such as for spaying or neutering, you should be aware of the extra care he will need to recover quickly and completely.

At the time of your pet’s hospital discharge, a veterinary assistant will go over the veterinarian’s instructions and answer any questions you may have. Below are a few tips to keep in mind when taking care of your pet after surgery.

Administer Medication

If your pet is prescribed medication, make sure you know what it is and its purpose. Every prescription should have a label that contains the following: the medication’s name and strength, administration instructions (how often and when, with or without food, shaken or diluted, etc.), storage instructions (refrigerated or not), expiration date and the veterinary hospital’s contact information.

If you miss a dose, check with your veterinarian on what to do. If this is your first time administering the type of medication prescribed, such as ear drops or a pill, ask the vet assistant to show you how before attempting it at home.

Feed Your Pet

You will also be advised on feeding. Will your pet be on a special post-op diet? This is especially important to know if you were planning on hiding the medication in something tasty. You’ll also want to know how often and how much you should feed your recovering pet.

The majority of pets will be back to normal in no time. With that said, it’s better to feed your pet smaller, but more frequent meals the first day or two following surgery. If your pet is in pain, he may have a decreased appetite. However, a complete absence of any desire for food should be reported to your veterinarian. Unless specifically instructed otherwise, fresh water should always be available.

Limit Your Pet’s Activity

After the surgery, your pet should be kept calm in order to prevent injury. If needed, you can use a crate or ask the veterinarian to prescribe a sedative. Designate a safe and quiet space for your pet’s recovery and make sure he has proper bedding.

Your pet may also be groggy due to pain medication. Make sure he doesn’t have access to the pool or stairs, and limit access to slippery surfaces, as his balance and coordination may be affected. For routine procedures, such as spaying, you will be instructed to limit activity and exercise for approximately 14 days. For dogs, this means they should be on a leash when taken outside for any reason.

RELATED: Dangerous Places in Your Home for Pets

Prevent Wound Licking

Since dogs and cats have a tendency to lick at their wounds, you need to make sure you prevent this behavior, as it can seriously jeopardize healing. Your pet should be fitted with an Elizabethan or cone collar. The cone should be longer than your pet’s muzzle so he’s incapable of reaching the wound. Bitter apple or similar bad-tasting sprays can also be topically applied to help discourage your pet from licking.

Your pet’s incision site is another concern. Usually, a veterinary assistant will instruct you on how to keep the incision site clean. Non-prescribed ointments aren’t necessary and may be unwanted. Check with your veterinarian before applying any over-the-counter ointments. If there’s a bandage, it should be kept clean and dry at all times.

Watch for Excessive Discharge

What if there is discharge? Some redness and swelling is to be expected after a procedure, as is a small amount of reddish or yellowish fluid. Inspect the sutures daily. If you notice any additional redness, swelling, foul smelling odor, excessive discharge or opening of the wound, take your pet to the hospital as soon as possible. Even the most routine surgeries can have unexpected complications so it’s better to keep a vigilant eye on your pet’s recovery.

Care Tips for Older and Weak Pets

Older or weak pets may need to have an extra hand when it comes to getting upright and even walking. A towel underneath a dog’s belly, or a belly sling, can be used to give him a boost, but only if it doesn’t cover and put pressure on the wound site. (This method is not intended for spays, as the incision is on the belly.)

Make sure to call your veterinary hospital if you have any questions or concerns. Surgery can be pretty traumatic for a pet as well as the owner, but with some tender love and care, you can make the recuperation process a lot easier on your companion—and you.

You may also like: Anaphylaxis in Dogs

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mia Boyd says

    March 18, 2015

    Thanks for the information. I want to make sure my pet is as healthy as possible, especially after surgery. It seems like the best way to do that would be to ensure that she’s well taken care of by myself and also by the vet. I’ll make sure I follow your tip about finding a good vet that cares about its patients.

    Reply
  2. Octavia says

    March 26, 2015

    I definitely don’t want my house to smell like a locker room.
    Odor can be pleasant or unpleasant and can easily be identified by our sense of smell.
    Make sure you get a natural and not a strong chemical one.

    Reply
  3. Taylor Bishop says

    May 10, 2018

    Thanks for these tips for taking care of a pet after surgery. I’m glad you mentioned that you should try t limit the pet’s activity, especially since their balance and coordination could be affected. I wonder if this is something you can learn from the vet, especially if they can explain what steps you should take.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

  • Main
    • Locations
    • Find A Dog Trainer
    • Find A Pet Groomer
    • Post a Job
    • Evolution of ABC
  • Dog Trainer Program
    • Program
    • Tuition
    • Curriculum
    • Student Login
  • Veterinary Assistant Program
    • Program
    • Tuition
    • Curriculum
    • Student Login
  • Dog Groomer Program
    • Program
    • Tuition
    • Curriculum
    • Student Login
  • Cat Trainer Program
    • Program
    • Tuition
    • Curriculum
    • Student Login
  • Aquarium Maintenance Program
    • Program
    • Tuition
    • Curriculum
    • Student Login
  • Zookeeper Assistant Program
    • Program
    • Tuition
    • Curriculum
    • Student Login

Footer

Apex Career School - A subsidiary of Animal Behavior College


Interested in a career outside of the animal industry?
Visit our subsidiary school!

bbb logo

Rating A+ The BBB only accredits the business management of a school, not the quality of the curriculum, or training programs.

STATE LICENSURE AND APPROVAL
Animal Behavior College is a private vocational school approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (www.bppe.ca.gov) under the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 and Title 5. California Code of Regulations Division 7.5. Private Postsecondary Education. The Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education approval means that this institution and its operation comply with the standards established under the law for occupational instruction by private postsecondary educational institutions. Institutional approval is subject to continual review and the institution must reapply for approval every five years.
DISCLAIMER
Please be advised that Animal Behavior College ("ABC") is the exclusive entity authorized to provide certifications and/or degrees from Animal Behavior College. Moreover, such certifications and/or degrees are only conferred by ABC following a student's completion of an ABC-administered program. No other entity or individual has authority to confer certifications and/or degrees on ABC's behalf. Any other entity or individual who attempts to do so is acting without express or implied authority from ABC.
GI BILL® TRADEMARK ATTRIBUTION
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
Click here to view Animal Behavior College’s Annual Reports
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
Animal Behavior College, 25104 Rye Canyon Loop, Santa Clarita CA 91355-5004 Contact Us
© 2000 - 2021 Animal Behavior College. Questions? email@animalbehaviorcollege.com