How to Help Your Dog Recovery Quickly after Surgery

By providing diligent care and a little extra TLC,  you can help to make your dog's recovery from surgery quicker and more comfortable. Find out more about how to help speed your dog's recovery from surgery below.

Adhere to the Post-Op Instructions Provided by Your Vet

Surgery can be a stressful time for pet parents and pets alike, but knowing how to look after your four-legged friend following surgery is important for helping your pet get back to their normal, active, lifestyle.

Regardless of the type of surgery your animal is scheduled for, your specialist, vet or veterinary surgeon will be sure to provide you with clear and specific instructions on how to care for your pet following the operation. Be sure to follow your vet's instructions carefully, there may be very specific and important instructions relating to the type of surgery your pet has had.

That said, there are a few basic tips that can help you keep your pet safe and comfortable as they heal. 

What to Expect After Your Pet's Surgery

Most veterinary surgeries require the use of general anesthetic. General anesthetic causes a sleep-like state and prevents your dog from feeling any pain during the procedure. However, it can take a while for the effects of general anesthetic to wear off.

The lingering effects of general anesthetic can leave your dog feeling a little sleepy, or shaky on their feet. These side effects are considered normal and with a little rest should disappear very quickly.

A few other side effects that you may notice, include more subdued behavior than usual, appearing as if they are feeling a little bruised or sore, and a temporary lack of appetite.

Reduced Appetite

General anesthetic could cause your animal to feel a little queasy, and lose their appetite. When it's time to feed your pet after surgery try offering them a light meal (1/4 or 1/2 of regular meal) or a special post-surgery tinned food recommended by your vet. These suggestions may be a little easier to digest than regular store-bought pet food. You can expect your dog to regain their appetite within about 24 hours following surgery, at which time they should gradually return to eating their regular diet.

If your pet's appetite hasn't returned after 48 hours contact your vet or veterinary surgeon right away. Loss of appetite can be an indication of pain or infection.

It's important to note that feeding your dog a nutritious diet while they are recovering, as well as on a regular day-to-day basis, is a key element of caring for your pet's overall health. If you are unsure about what the best food for your pet is, speak to your veterinarian. Your vet will be able to recommend a food with all the key ingredients your dog needs for optimal health, and they will be able to calculate the right number of calories to feed your pup for them to maintain a healthy weight.

Some Discomfort

After your pet's operation, a veterinary professional will take the time to discuss the medications prescribed to manage your dog's post-surgery pain. They will explain the dosages required, how often to give medications to your pet, and how to administer the medications. It is essential to follow these post-op instructions carefully in order to help prevent any unnecessary pain or side effects while your dog recovers. If you are unsure about any of the instructions ask your vet to clarify. Your veterinary team wants your pet to recover as quickly as possible and is always happy to help.

Antibiotics to prevent infection and pain medication to relieve post-op discomfort are the 2 most commonly prescribed medications for pets after surgery. If your pooch is anxious or high-strung your vet may also prescribe a sedative or anti-anxiety medication to help keep them calm while they are healing.

Home remedies are not recommended, however, if there is a remedy that you would like to use to help your pet feel better, call your vet to ask if the ingredients are safe for your furry friend. Never give human medications to your dog without consulting your veterinarian first. Many drugs that can help humans to feel better are toxic to our animal companions.

Keeping Your Pet Comfortable at Home

After your dog's surgery, it is important to provide them with a comfortable and quiet place to rest, away from children and other pets. If your pet typically curls up on a small bed to sleep you may want to invest in a larger bed so that the incision site isn't pulled. Allowing your pet to stretch out, so there’s no extra pressure on any bandaged or sensitive parts of their body, may help your four-legged friend to feel better after surgery and may even help them to recover more quickly.

Restricting Your Pet's Movement

Regardless of why your pet is having surgery, it is likely that your vet will recommend limiting your pet's activities and movement for a period of time following the operation. Sudden stretching and jumping movements can interfere with the healing process and may even cause the incision to reopen.

Most surgeries will not require significant confinement such as complete ‘crate-rest’ to aid in recovery, and most pets cope well with being kept indoors for a few days (with only essential trips outside for potty breaks). Often, a more difficult task is preventing your dog or cat from climbing stairs or jumping up on furniture that they love to sleep on. Preventing these behaviors for a few days may require confining your beloved pooch to a small, safe and comfortable room whenever you are unable to supervise them directly.

Helping Your Pet When Cage-Rest is Required

Orthopedic surgeries often require strictly limiting your dog or cat's movements for a good recovery. If your vet recommends crate rest for your four-legged family member following surgery, there are ways to help your dog adjust to this strict confinement and get more comfortable in their crate.

Make sure that your pet's crate is big enough to allow them to stand up and turn around. If your pet requires a plastic cone or 'E-Collar' to prevent licking, you may need to purchase a larger crate to give them enough space. You will also need to ensure that there is plenty of room for food and water dishes, without risking spills that can cause your pet's bedding and bandages to become soiled and wet.

Caring for Your Pet's Incision Site

It can be challenging to prevent your animal from biting, chewing or scratching at their bandages or incision site. A plastic cone-shaped Elizabethan collar (available in hard and soft versions) is an effective way to prevent your animal companion from reaching the wound. Pets can often adjust to wearing a cone collar within a couple of hours, but if your dog is struggling to get used to wearing a cone, there are other options available. Speak to your vet about effective and less cumbersome options such as donut-style collars, or post-surgery jumpsuits (medical pet-shirts).

Your Pet's Stitches

Stitches or staples will typically be removed by your vet around 10 - 14 days after surgery. Depending on the surgery, vets may use stitches placed inside your dog's wound that gradually dissolve as the incision heals. Your vet will let you know which type of stitches were used to close your pet's incision.

Regardless of the type of stitches, you will still need to prevent your four-legged friend from licking the wound in order to prevent infection and allow the wound to heal.

Your Pet's Bandages

Keeping bandages dry at all times is another key element of helping your animal's incision heal quickly. Whenever your dog goes outside make sure that the bandages are covered with a plastic bag or cling wrap to protect them from damp or wet grass. Remove the plastic covering as soon as your pet comes back inside. Leaving the plastic over the bandage could cause sweat to collect under the bandage and lead to an infection. Cats should be kept indoors while they recover from surgery.

Don't Skip the Follow-Up Appointment

Your pet's follow-up appointment allows your vet to monitor your animal's progress and check for any signs of infection before it becomes more serious.

It is also essential that your dog's bandages aren't left on for too long after surgery. Not changing the bandages at the right time could lead to pressure sores or even affect the blood supply to the area. The professionals at your pet's veterinary hospital have been trained in dressing wounds correctly. When it comes to keeping your furry friend's healing process on-track, it's a good idea to let the professionals handle bandage changes.

Keeping Your Pet Happy During Recovery

Pets don't understand when they are in recovery and are likely to become frustrated at the reduced level of activity, the itchiness of their incision site, and overall lack of stimulation, so you must give your pet stimulation and loving reassurance in other ways.

Keep your pet amused with a rotating selection of gentle games that won't cause any stretching or jumping, such as dog-friendly chew toys or squeaky playthings for cats. Limit the number of toys you offer your pet to one or two items at a time, and switch to a different toy on a regular basis to help prevent boredom.

Treats can be a great way to cheer your pet up but keep in mind that your animal's reduced activity level means that they are burning fewer calories. Too many treats can equal too much of a good thing.

Remember that simply taking some time out of your busy day to sit quietly with your pet, stroking their fur and chatting with them calmly, can help your cat or dog stay calm and feel loved. 

Typical Recovery Times For Pets Following Surgery

Soft tissue operations such as spaying, neutering or abdominal surgeries tend to recover more quickly than procedures involving the bones, joints and ligaments. Many soft tissue surgeries have typically healed about 80% after 2-3 weeks, and may be completely healed in about 6 weeks.

On the other hand, surgeries involving bones and ligaments will likely take much longer and are usually around 80% healed after about 8 - 12 weeks. That said, it can take as long as 6 months for your pet to recover completely following surgeries such as those to repair a torn cruciate ligament (CCL). 

Reassurance for Loving Pet Parents

Pet parents often feel guilty about restricting their beloved pet's movements for a seemingly long amount of time. But try to keep in mind that animals generally bounce back much more quickly from surgery than humans do, and by following your vet's post-surgery instructions you are doing your very best to help your cherished pet recover quickly, and get back to their normal active lifestyle as soon as possible!

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.