As your pet ages, it becomes prone to injuries and illnesses. As a responsible pet parent, you must care for and provide it with love and attention. This involves aspects like regular vet visits, purchasing the best pet health insurance, daily exercise, and healthy food. Unfortunately, accidents are unavoidable, and if your pet has surgery, you must know how to care for it to avoid further complications. Not following post-surgery instructions can lead to a number of problems, including infection and slowed healing times. In this article, we will discuss some tips on how to help your pet heal quickly and safely after surgery.
Follow the Vet’s Orders
After your pet has surgery, the veterinarian will give you specific instructions on how to care for your pet. It is important that you follow these orders exactly. The vet knows what is best for your pet and their recovery.
Keep Your Pet’s Sutures Clean and Dry
You will need to keep your pet’s sutures for surgery clean and dry. This means that they will need to wear a cone (or ‘e-collar’) to prevent them from licking or biting at their stitches. You should also clean the area around the sutures with a mild soap daily.
Give Them Plenty of Rest
Your pet will need plenty of rest after surgery. This means keeping them calm and quiet. They should not be allowed to run, jump or play until their stitches have been removed.
Monitor Their Eating and Drinking
After surgery, it is important to monitor your pet’s eating and drinking. They may not have a lot of appetite at first and may need to be fed small meals several times a day. It is also important to make sure that they are drinking enough water. You can do this by offering them fresh, clean water often and checking their water bowl to make sure that it is full.
Keep an Eye on Their Incision
You will need to keep an eye on your pet’s incision after surgery. This means checking it for any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling or discharge. If you notice any of these signs, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.
Consider Using Supplements
There are many supplements on the market that can help support your pet’s immune system and aid in their recovery after surgery. Some of these include Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamins C and E, glutathione, and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). Of course, you’d have to talk to your veterinarian about which supplements would be best for your pet.
Give Them Lots of Love and Attention
After surgery, your pet will need lots of love and attention. This includes gentle petting and cuddling. They may also appreciate a quiet place to rest where they won’t be disturbed. By giving them the love and care they need, you can help them feel more comfortable and speed up their recovery.
What could possibly happen if you don’t follow your vet’s instructions?
If you don’t follow your vet’s instructions, your pet could develop an infection or their healing process could be slowed. Additionally, they may be at risk for re-injuring the area if they are allowed to run and play too soon after surgery. Therefore, it is important that you follow your vet’s orders carefully to ensure a quick and complication-free recovery for your pet.
By following these tips, you can help your pet heal quickly and safely after surgery. Remember to always follow the vet’s orders and to contact them if you have any concerns.
