Caring for your dog after sterilization
In many clinics, after sterilization, the dog can be left in the hospital for a day so that doctors can look after it. If you decide to care for your pet yourself, read our recommendations.
Take care of the necessary medications and care products
To care for your animal after sterilization, you will need:
0.05% chlorhexidine solution,
bandage or bandage napkin,
blankets,
protective collar,
absorbent diapers.
Follow these tips for caring for your dog after surgery.
Set up a comfortable place. Place your pet on the floor away from drafts and radiators. Place diapers on a sunbed or old mattress. Involuntary urination is a normal reaction after anesthesia. You can cover your pet with a warm blanket or light blanket.
You cannot put the dog on a bed or sofa - the animal comes out of anesthesia, has poor control of itself and may fall.
Monitor the dog's condition. During the first 8 hours after surgery, stay close to your pet and monitor his well-being. As soon as the dog wakes up, offer him a drink or wet his tongue. Calm your pet, caress him, pat him on the head and talk kindly.
What should you do if your dog whines a lot and for a long time two days after surgery? Call your veterinarian. He may prescribe antibiotics and painkillers.
If the dog does not allow you to approach him, bares his teeth and growls, watch the pet from the side. This reaction happens after anesthesia - the animal is scared and in pain. Allow the dog to sleep, recover and recover.
Monitoring the condition of the dog after sterilization
Inspect and treat the seam twice a day. The seam must be dry and clean. Use 0.05% chlorhexidine solution for treatment. Moisten a bandage or bandage napkin and apply to the skin around the seam, carefully removing the crusts. Movements without pressure or rubbing. Veterinarians advise treating stitches within 7-10 days.
Do not use brilliant green and iodine to treat the seam - the drugs can cause burns.
Change the blanket every day to a clean and ironed one. Do not bandage too tightly - the animal should be comfortable. You need to wear the blanket for 7-10 days until the seam is completely healed.
Wear a protective collar. After the operation, the stitch will hurt and itch - the dog will try to lick the wound and may tear the blanket. During recovery, put a protective collar on your pet to prevent the animal from chewing the threads and reaching the wound.
Put a collar on your dog
Feed 24 hours after surgery. The dog needs time to recover and cope with stress. Make sure your pet always has access to fresh water. If more than a day has passed and the animal refuses to eat, be sure to contact a veterinarian.
Give light and low-fat food. During rehabilitation, your pet needs veterinary dog food. As a rule, veterinarians advise giving preference to a wet diet: pates or stews. Easily digestible and nutritious food helps the body recover faster after surgery.
You can offer your dog some wet food a day after surgery. After about a day or two, the animal’s appetite will return to normal, and the dog will eat its usual portions of food.
How to understand that you should definitely contact a veterinarian
Redness of the wound, suppuration and bleeding. Pinkish-yellow liquid, or ichor, is normal.
Low or high temperature compared to normal for dogs - 37.5-39.
The dog refuses to eat even 3-4 days after sterilization.
Toilet problems (constipation) two days after surgery.
What a dog should not do after sterilization
In the first days after surgery, the animal needs rest. Due to excessively active movements, the seam may come apart, inflammation may develop, and blood pressure may increase.
Limit physical activity. Do not allow your pet to run, climb stairs or jump a lot. Do not pick up the animal, pulling only by the front paws. It is better to take a small dog outside in a carrier, and lead a large dog slowly.
How long does it take for a dog to recover after sterilization?
The surgical suture heals in about two weeks, but the animal recovers completely within a month. The duration of rehabilitation is influenced by the method of surgery, postoperative care, age and immunity of the dog.
Recovery time after sterilization
Rehabilitation of a dog after sterilization
How to walk your dog after sterilization
The first walk outside is two to three days after the operation. Provided the dog is feeling well. The walk should be calm and short - 10-15 minutes. Try to limit your pet from interacting with other animals and do not let it off the leash so that the dog does not chase another dog. Once the stitches are removed, you will be able to walk your pet longer.
After sterilization, dogs move less and gain weight faster, so you will have to review their diet and purchase food for sterilized dogs.
Checklist for caring for your dog after sterilization
1. Set up a comfortable bed on the floor away from radiators and drafts.
2. Provide your dog with peace and quiet.
3. Monitor the animal carefully in the first 4-8 hours after surgery.
4. Treat the seam with 0.05% chlorhexidine solution twice a day.
5. Make sure your pet doesn’t tear off the blanket or lick the seam.
6. Feed veterinary wet food and make sure your pet has access to fresh water.
7. Enlist the help of a veterinarian. Consult on caring for your pet and seek help immediately
if you notice a deterioration in the animal’s condition.
