I've owned large dogs for over fifteen years, and one thing I've learned is new owners of large breed dogs don't realise how much exercise and training they need to stay stimulated and healthy. I started this blog to share my personal experience of training large dog breeds, including great danes and mastiffs, and my blog posts detail tips I've gathered over the years from fellow owners and enthusiasts of large dog breeds. I also post about new dog training products I've tried and accept guest posts on any related topics. I hope you find the information on my blog interesting and useful.
Home or post-operative care is critical to the long-term well-being and recovery of your pet. For instance, after an operation, you should restrict the movement of your pet to avoid rupturing the wound or opening sutures and staples. When you follow the post-surgery recovery regimen stipulated by the surgeon, your pet will soon be on its way to recovery. This article gives pet owners a few tips on post-surgery rehabilitation process.
Adequate Rest and Confinement -- After undergoing an operation, you should ensure that your pet gets as much rest as possible in the following weeks to enable faster healing. The pet should be kept indoors, possibly in the main house where you can tend to it. For example, you can confine the pet in a cage where disturbance is minimal. The cage also ensures that the pet does not roam around the house. However, ensure that supplies such as bedding, water, and food are availed as recommended by the pet surgeon. At no point should you decide to take your pet outside for a walk during this rehabilitation period.
Elizabethan Collar -- An Elizabethan collar is a truncated cone-shaped collar worn by a pet to prevent them from licking, biting, or scratching the wound. This medical device is necessary if you do not want your pet to infect the wound, which could delay recovery. However, some surgical areas might not require the collar. Alternatively, based on the instructions from a veterinarian, you can bandage the area, especially if the wound is located on the leg. However, make sure that the bandages are disinfected and dry.
Diet -- Post-surgery care will entails provision of proper and adequate food to your pet. Veterinarians often recommend that you scale down the portions and duration of feeding a little so that you can minimize chances of the pet being hyperactive. If the surgery is major, especially when general anesthesia is used, it is not advisable to feed the pet immediately. In addition, water is necessary, but too much of it can cause the animal to nauseate.
Watch Out for Complications -- Sometimes, the pain management medication prescribed might not be adequate for your pet. For instance, you will notice this when the pet starts behaving differently. As such, watch out for signs such as aggression and lack of appetite for prolonged periods. Other signs that should raise a red flag, during post-surgery care, might include shortness of breath, elevated body temperature, excessive coughing, swelling, and discharge at the incision area. Contact your vet as soon as possible when your pet displays any of these symptoms.
Share24 February 2017
