Post Surgery Pet Care Services Steveston, Richmond

If you've ever undergone surgery, you know that your body requires rest above anything else to recover from the procedure. The same is true for your pet, make a warm, cozy, secure, and peaceful place for them to relax.

Your pet may experience some lingering effects of general anesthetic which may make them feeling a little sleepy, or shaky on their feet. These side effects are normal and with a little rest should disappear very quickly.

• Do not allow them to jump or run
• Keep them separate from other pets and children
• Do not play or take them for long walk – if necessary walks should be limited to few minutes. Alternately, you can provide them pee pads.
• Provide a soft, cozy and good sized bed for rest
• You can plug in some calming diffusers and play calming music

Tracheal tube placed in your pet’s trachea (windpipe) while receiving anesthesia, may have caused mild irritation and a slight cough. A mild post-surgical cough will usually diminish over the next few days. Contact our hospital if coughing persists or worsens.

Typically, shaking after surgery is an after-effects from anesthesia or pain control medication. Have your pet frequently eat small amounts of food, then hold them in your lap or sit next to them while speaking to them and giving lots of reassuring care. The extra love and care will help.

Your pet may not feel like him or herself, and eating regular diet may result in vomiting. Offer small, frequent meals as well as small amounts of water at a time.

• Consider a recovery diet such as a/d
• Try slightly warming some food in the microwave, to enhance the flavor; stir before feeding to dissipate heat
• Hand feed your pet so that they get the flavor of the food; this may entice them to eat

Contact us if your pet is not eating 24-36 hours after the surgery. Loss of appetite can be a sign of pain or infection.

Some drugs used during surgery can slow down gut movement. In addition, you were likely asked to fast your pet before the surgery, which means their gut may initially be empty (having nothing to pass) and they may not have eaten anything post surgery.

Typically, your pet should have a bowel movement within 48 hours of being discharged from the hospital. If you don’t see one after that time, or see signs of straining or discomfort, call us to make an appointment. 

Licking the stitches can cause the sutures to some out and/or cause irritation, redness, and possible infection. The “cone” or “e-collar” (short for Elizabethan collar) can be a very useful tool when used properly and can help protect your dog’s incision. Most of the time your pet will be sent home with one.

If your pet is still bothering the incision, even with the collar, consider other reasons for this, such as pain or discomfort. Call us if you have any concerns. 

Stitch material can be absorbable or non absorbable. Absorbable stitches do not usually require removal, whereas non absorbable stitches almost always do. Depending on the surgery we may use stitches placed inside of your pet’s wound which dissolve as the incision heals. Your vet will let you know which type of stitches were used to close your pet's incision. Typically, staples or sutures should be removed around 10 - 14 days after surgery.

If your pet prematurely removes stitches (or they come undone on their own), this can lead to complications with wound healing and possibly infection. If you see stitch material popping out, or notice the stitches have become loose, untied, or chewed, call us right away. 

The signs of infection are not always easy to recognize. Infection can be present on the surface of the skin (at the incision site) or deeper in the tissue.

If there’s infection inside the body or deeper tissue, your dog may:

• Be lethargic
• Have fever

If the incision site itself is infected, it may be:

• Warm, red, and painful to the touch.
• There may be swelling and/or discharge at the surgical site.
• Your pet may be lethargic, reluctant to stand up and move around.
• Your pet may even vomit or have diarrhea.

If you suspect your pet may have an infection, call us right away to book an appointment.

These are not normal findings after surgery. Contact us or the nearest emergency hospital immediately if you notice any changes in your dog’s breathing.