Whether it’s a tumor surgery , neutering, or tooth extraction, there are entirely new rules of behavior for you and your dog in the short term after your dog’s surgery. Here, you’ll learn what to pay attention to in the first days after your dog’s surgery and how to protect yourself from high operation and postoperative care costs.
Postoperative care on the day of the Surgery
Usually, your dog is operated on in the morning. If the procedure went well, you can pick him up in the afternoon. However, the aftereffects of anesthesia can still be challenging for him. Therefore, you need to keep a close eye on him in the first few hours after the surgery. Here’s how you can help your freshly operated dog:
Talk to the veterinarian and clarify the most important questions
Before you can take your furry friend home, your veterinarian will inform you about the course of the operation and answer the following questions:
- When can my dog drink and eat after the operation?
- What should I feed him after the operation?
- Do I need to administer medications? If yes, what is the dosage?
- How do I properly care for and protect the wound?
- What else should I pay attention to in the next few days?
- Whom can I contact in case of an emergency?
- Do I need to go for suture removal or wound checks at the practice? If yes, when?
- What activities are reasonable for my dog, and how long does he need to rest?
Tip: Inform your dog’s surgery insurance:
Don’t forget to inform your dog’s surgery insurance about the operation promptly, ideally as soon as you receive the first veterinary bill for the operation. In addition to the operation costs, the costs for postoperative care are also covered. However, many insurers limit the duration and amount of benefits; you can find precise information in your contract. If your dog is not yet insured, no problem!
In our tariff calculator, you will undoubtedly find the right dog surgery insurance. Starting at $6 per month, you can ensure the well-being of both you and your furry friend. In the future, your insurance will cover the costs of surgery and postoperative care.
Homecoming – How to Safely Bring Your Dog Back Home
After the surgery, your dog will still be quite groggy and unsteady on his feet. To ensure he doesn’t fall off the seat in the car, he needs a secure place to lie down – such as a dog crate. Make it comfortable and warm for him with blankets and towels.
If you don’t have a crate, you should pick him up with someone accompanying you. One of you can sit next to your dog, calm him during the ride, and make sure he doesn’t fall off the seat. Place several blankets on the back seat beforehand to keep your dog warm and protect your car seats.
Once you arrive, he will likely need to relieve himself. If he’s still very unsteady on his feet, he may need your assistance. It’s better to support him a bit.
The key points again:
- Your furry friend is safe during the ride in a transport crate. There should be enough blankets and towels in the crate to keep him warm and cozy.
- If you don’t have a crate, your dog shouldn’t lie alone on the back seat. He might fall off the seat. Here too, make sure he stays warm.
- If your dog needs to relieve himself after the ride, you should support him.
Sleeping Area – How Your Dog Can Properly Recover After Surgery
After the operation, your four-legged friend needs a warm, flat sleeping area. It’s best to prepare this before his return. A layer of clean blankets over his dog bed would be ideal. To protect the wound from hair and other irritations, add a linen cloth to the resting place.
Important: Do you have other pets? Please separate them from your freshly operated dog. Your other four-legged companions don’t understand that their buddy needs to take it easy. They might invite him to play or sniff and lick his wound, which should be prevented. But also, children and other family members should not bother your dog as much as possible.
Meals – What Your Dog Can Eat After Surgery
Your dog can certainly drink water. However, only in small amounts. Once the aftereffects of anesthesia have completely subsided, you can usually feed him again. Otherwise, he might vomit the food.
Attention: There are also operations after which you must not feed your dog for a longer period. And in some cases, he needs special food in the first few days after the surgery. Therefore, strictly follow your veterinarian’s instructions and note them in our checklist if possible.
Wound Protection – Collar, Bodysuit, and Bandage
A scar itches and tingles. Your dog will be attracted to it like magic. To prevent him from irritating the wound with his tongue, you should put a collar or bodysuit on him. However, he won’t like it. After all, especially the collar restricts his freedom of movement and field of vision. But you don’t have to pity him for that, as this “lick protection” is only for his own good.
Was your dog bandaged? Then you should keep it dry and clean. Especially during walks, you have to get creative. You can easily protect a foot bandage from wetness and dirt with a plastic bag and a rubber band. Or you can ask your veterinarian for special protective shoes. However, both options only work if your dog is not bothered by them.
Info: A bandage alone often is not enough as wound protection! Your four-legged friend could nibble on it and loosen it. Therefore, you should still put a collar or bodysuit on him. Discuss this with your veterinarian, especially if he doesn’t already apply such a device to your dog.
Additional Tips for the Days After the Surgery
After a maximum of 48 hours, your four-legged friend should have overcome the aftereffects of anesthesia. Nevertheless, you need to pay attention to several things in the following days.
Note: Please consult your veterinarian if your dog remains very sleepy or still has balance issues about 2 days after the operation.
Medication – How to Administer Tablets to Your Four-Legged Friend
Immediately after the surgery, your dog usually doesn’t need medication. He has already received his dose from the veterinarian. However, you may need to administer painkillers or anti-inflammatories in the following days. Your veterinarian will provide precise instructions that you must follow.
Many veterinarians write the dosage directly on the medication. If you’re still uncertain, notice side effects, or feel that the medicine needs different dosing, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Tip:
Mix the medicine into your dog’s food. If they are tablets, crushing them with a mortar beforehand might help. If that doesn’t work, there are special administration aids. Calmness, patience, and finesse are crucial when giving medication. Stay relaxed, even if it doesn’t work right away.
Bowel and Urine Discharge After the Surgery
As mentioned earlier, your dog will relieve himself on the same day as the surgery. However, his intestines need time to process the fasting day before the operation and the anesthesia. Therefore, it may take about one to two days for him to pass stool again. If he has difficulties beyond these days or if there are other abnormalities, contact your veterinarian.
Walking Rounds – Take It Slow
To allow the surgical incision to heal, your dog should take it easy in the next few days. It’s best to ask your veterinarian how long the walks can be at most. This usually depends on the severity of the procedure:
- After minor surgeries like dental cleanings, your dog can likely walk freely after about 2 days.
- After a castration or abdominal surgery, he should only be on a leash for about 10 days, avoid jumping, and then gradually be allowed to exert himself again.
- After an orthopedic surgery, your veterinarian will create a special movement and training plan that you must strictly adhere to.
Wound Check – Keep an Eye on the Scar
Examine the scars once or twice daily. This way, you can detect inflammation early. Pay attention to the following:
- Has dirt come into contact with the wound?
- Is the wound oozing? If yes, is it blood, wound fluid, or pus?
- Is the area around the scar highly red?
- Does the wound have an unpleasant odor?
- Is the wound swollen?
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, please notify your veterinarian immediately!
Info: After joint and bone surgeries, you should have the wound checked by your veterinarian after 2 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my dog climb stairs after the surgery?
Whether your dog can climb stairs immediately after the operation should be clarified with your veterinarian. Ideally, it is best to spare him from this exertion. If there is no other option, support him briefly and climb each step together very slowly.
Why does my dog have a sore throat after the surgery?
Postoperative colds are not uncommon in dogs. If he experiences difficulty swallowing after the surgery, you don’t need to be immediately concerned. After all, the anesthetic was administered to him through a tube in the trachea. However, if his throat remains irritated after several days, you should consult your veterinarian.
When and how do I change the bandage on my dog?
Only your veterinarian can provide an accurate answer to this question. Typically, the bandage is changed as needed, such as when it becomes loose or wet. It may be the case that you need to visit the clinic regularly for bandage changes. Your veterinarian might also show you how to change the bandage on your dog yourself.
When will the stitches be removed from my dog?
There is no universal answer to this question; you will usually receive detailed information from your veterinarian. The clinic staff will likely schedule a follow-up appointment and stitch removal on the day of the surgery. This final wound check usually takes place approximately 10 days after the operation.
Tip: Even with self-dissolving stitches, a follow-up examination is advisable, as your veterinarian can best assess the healing of the scar.