As one of the owners who choose to spay and neuter your pets, caring for your animals post-surgery is the next step. By creating a safe environment for your cat or dog’s recovery, as well as taking basic pet healthcare measures, you can ensure a speedy return to your pet’s normal routine.
- Be sure that your pet is wearing their e-collar. An Elizabeth collar, the cone that secures around your pet’s neck, is designed to prevent your animal from scratching or biting their incisions. Especially when you are not able to give your full attention to monitoring your pet, be sure that their collar is in place.
- Help your pet rest. Especially immediately after surgery, your pet will be drowsy from the anesthesia. They will need more sleep than they normally would as they heal from the operation. As for taking ideal pet safety measures, consider blocking off a designated space for your pet. This will serve to isolate your animal from children and other pets, as well as potentially dangerous structures like stairs.
- Keep an eye on your pet. Even if they are resting in their own space, be sure to check on your pet periodically. Following their initial return home post-surgery, they may have poor balance and coordination. As they continue recovering, check for potential incontinence and vomiting.
- Check incisions periodically.
- Know the symptoms of an infection. As you continue to monitor your pet’s healing progress, be sure to be able to spot an infection of the incision site. Some symptoms include redness, swelling, discharge of pus, and bleeding after the fist few days post-surgery. If the incision seems to be showing any of these signs, or if you are unsure, call your vet to have your pet examined.
Veterinarians recommend checking your pet’s incisions two times per day. Post-surgery, slight swelling and redness is expected, as is blood. Remove any discharge with a warm, damp cloth, and within the first few days, apply a small amount of antibiotic cream. Your vet will have more specific instructions on your pet’s specific needs.
The process to spay and neuter household pets is a routine service of all veterinarian practices. Knowing the importance of spaying or neutering your pet, and the basic post-care tips, will ensure a healthy future for your pets. For more detailed information about this topic, speak with your local vet clinic.
