Knowing your pet needs surgery can be a stressful time. It is difficult not to worry. Remember that your veterinarian will be able to answer any questions that you may have. Write them down to ask so that you do not forget.
Surgery Procedures Include:
Spay/Neuter, orthopedics, mass removals, cryptorchid procedure, gastropexy, skin biopsies, mastectomy, enucleation, cystotomy, splenectomy, cystectomy, acl/mcl repair, hernia repair, cruciate ligament, laceration repair
Our veterinarians at Lenox Hill Veterinarians in New York would like to offer a few tips for owners of pets that need surgery.
Take All the Tests Offered
One of the reasons why pet surgery is so much safer now than decades ago is that better pre-surgical tests have been developed. If your pet needs to go under general anesthesia, tests will often be done to make sure your pet gets the right anesthesia. Tests can also reveal any health problems that do not show symptoms, like the early stages of heartworm disease.
Prepare a Recovery Room
Depending on the surgery, your pet may need a few days of rest. Your pet will need a warm, quiet place to recover. This room should be shut off from other pets that may bother your recovering pet. Make sure your children know that your pet needs to rest, not play. Pets may need a darker room to help them sleep. Make sure there is clean, warm bedding available, and a litter tray if you have a cat.
Does Your Pet Need to Stop Medication?
If your pet is on daily medicine, ask if this medicine needs to be stopped in the days before surgery. If your pet is diabetic, ask when you can last give insulin, or if the veterinary staff will give insulin. Also, ask how soon after the surgery can your pet go back on the medication.
Fast Your Pet
Pets usually need to fast overnight before surgery. You may also need to take away water bowls. Keep your pet indoors and in a separate room to make sure he or she does not sneak any food. The animal hospital will let you know when you need to start the fast, how soon you can start feeding again, and what diet to give.
Recovery Tips for Dogs
It is important that pets have very limited activity after surgery to not rip open their stitches or injure themselves before their bodies have a chance to heal. Dogs will often run about, especially if they see something exciting, like a squirrel. When your dog needs to go outside to eliminate, place your dog on a leash and go out with your dog to be sure he or she does not run about. Do this every time. It is normal for dogs to have accidents in the home just after surgery.