This article provides answers to the most exciting questions faced by the owner of the dog when he takes it home from the clinic for further rehabilitation.
The animal after surgery needs special care for an average of 10-14 days, and with the most complex surgical intervention, up to two months. However, the most important are the first three days. It is during this period that the risk of complications is quite high, the wound hurts, and the tissues have not yet got rid of edema. Having survived this difficult stage, your pet will be closer to a full recovery every day. And you will readily help him in this, taking care of his comfort and strictly following medical recommendations. Consider the general rules that every owner needs to know. So, what is subject to constant monitoring?
1. Seams.
It is very important to follow the recommendations of the veterinarian on the frequency of suture treatment, monitor the discharge, integrity and cleanliness.
2. Bandages.
3. Consumption of liquids.
4. Frequency of toilet visits.
5. Body temperature and color of mucous membranes.
6. Dog body position and cleanliness of the litter
7. Taking drugs, compliance with the dosage, schemes, performing the necessary procedures.
8. Behavior.
3) Insomnia and too long rest. Often the pain is so severe that the dogs fall into a semi-fainting state, which the owner considers a sound sleep.
4) Violation of water and food intake.
5) Too frequent urination or a change in the nature of the stool, in some cases accompanied by whining.
6) Involuntary contraction of the muscles of the body, frequent change of body position, unnatural posture.
7) Shortness of breath or shallow breathing. If the pain is too severe, the dog may even hold his breath for a few seconds until the peak of discomfort passes.
8) Aggression or vice versa excessive sociability.
Consider the main signs that a dog is in pain:
1) The dog barks, whears, howls, growls. Can do this along with some action (e.g., growl at a sore paw) or just lie/sit/stand, stare into space and whine. This also includes whining and squealing when trying to pick it up.
2) Increased attention to some part of the body.
And let's speak a little about nutrition in the postoperative period.
You can start watering and feeding the animal only after a complete exit from anesthesia.
The first portions should be approximately 1/3 of the standard portion, the food itself, if the doctor did not give any recommendations, may be ordinary. Do not force the animal to eat, but also take care that it does not starve, because your pet's body needs strength to recover, and the body draws strength, as you know, from the diet.
![Image](https://una2care.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/pexels-samson-katt-5255164-scaled.jpg)
In what situations it is necessary to immediately consult a veterinarian:
1.The dog is in pain. Pain refers to one of the most striking symptoms, so owners usually notice it first. Pain is a reason to see a veterinarian immediately. External manifestations often depend on the intensity and localization of pain, but after living a little with the dog and getting to know the pet better, everyone sooner or later begins to understand its body language.
2. Deep fainting. Severe difficulty breathing.
3. Cold paw pads, pale lips and gums.
4. Within 24 hours after surgery, the animal cannot fully regain consciousness and start moving.
Within 24 to 48 hours after surgery, the animal cannot control limb movements.
5. Constant belching and vomiting, the stomach does not retain even a small amount of water (one - double vomiting is possible during the first hours after the operation when leaving anesthesia, so you should not water and feed the animal at this time).
6. Delay in urination and defecation for the first 24-48 hours and later. Feces with blood.
7. Severe swelling and redness of the surgical wound, unpleasant odor. The same applies to visible parts of the body (limbs) below the places of bandaging, the imposition of plaster bandages, installed peripheral venous catheters.
8. Convulsions.
9. Allergic reactions (rash and blisters), swelling of the mouth, muzzle and pharynx.The owner does not always know the reaction of the dog's body to one or another type of drug. In this situation, following the recommendation of the veterinarian, it is necessary to provide first aid using antihistamines from the first aid kit, then deliver the animal to the clinic.
10. Removal of sutures by the animal itself, as well as due to edema, as well as the appearance of strong discharge at the suture and the accumulation of fluid under the skin.
11. Intense bleeding from the operating wound.