5 Ways to Make Your Dog Comfortable After Surgery (Guest Post)

I've especially chosen to publish this guest post after remembering Chooey's broken mandible. It was difficult for me to take care of her-- knowing she was in pain. I had no idea how long it'd take for her jaw to heal so I counted the days worrying about her eating and drinking (since every time she moved her jaw, she would be in pain). 

A bark turned into a shrill. A bite becomes an excruciating action. She had to eat recovery food and baby food for more than a month. My heart goes to the families of dogs who are need of surgery. So here it goes...

It's always painful to see a beloved family dog have to go in for surgery, especially when the American Veterinary Medical Association reports that 63.2 percent of pet owners consider their pets as family members. Once your dog is out of the vet's and back home, you want to keep them comfortable and happy as the recovery process begins. The vet's office gives you instructions on what to do with the medication and wound care after surgery, and there are a few more ways you can keep your dog happy after such a stressful experience.

Photo by Flickr user HarshLight (as provided by Guest Poster)

Room Preparation

You don't want to throw your dog back into the fray of things immediately. Prepare a safe, quiet space with plenty of food and water, and warm, soft bedding for your dog to be comfortable on. The amount of time your pet needs this safe room varies, according to VCA Hospitals. It's possible your dog may need several weeks of recovery time, although basic procedures such as spaying and neutering won't take long for recoveries.

Don't Disturb Their Sleep Overly Much

The anesthesia and stress of being at the vet's office may lead to extended sleeping time for your dog. Allow them to sleep as much as they want and minimize distractions that may interrupt their slumber. The Assisi Animal Health company recommends taking your dog out every few hours, as IV fluids may cause them to pee on a much more frequent basis than normal. Combined with deep sleep, your dog may even have accidents while napping. Try to limit how active they are outside, however, as you don't want them breaking stitches or having other issues.

Keep an Eye on Temperature

It's hard for an animal to tell if they're too hot or cold post surgery, so it's up to you to keep them at a comfortable temperature. Bring in a fan to cool a room down or browse The Shade Store for thick window treatments to block out the sun if it's too hot for your pup.

Follow the Post-Surgery Care Instructions

If you need to give your dog medication after surgery, stay on top of the intervals. Don't give your pet any more than the doctor instructed, even if it seems like they're in a lot of pain. You also want to check on incision sites and confirm the wound is not opened.

Stop Your Dog from Licking

You may need to apply the dog cone of shame if your dog refuses to stop licking the incision sites. While the dog thinks he's helping the healing process, he runs the risk of pulling out stitches, introducing bacteria into the area or eating bandages off of a wound. He might look goofy for a bit, but it's the best idea in the long run.

Written By:

Walter Price. Walter is a property manager who enjoys taking his dog Peter to work with him.