Post-operative Care Tips for Pet Owners

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital

269 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

(908) 464-0023

After a surgical procedure, your pets need all of the TLC they can get. Even if the procedure was not too extensive and was just routine (such as spaying or neutering), your pets need to know that they can rely on you, their owner and ultimately best friend, to help them through the recovery process.

If you have a pet that will be undergoing surgery soon, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Follow the discharge instructions. Your veterinarian provides you with post-operative instructions for a reason - follow them! From how much rest your pet needs to the food they should be eating, medications they may need and more, you should have a clear understanding of what is required of you to keep your pet happy and healthy following the procedure. Before you leave your vet's office, do not hesitate to ask any questions about anything you are uncertain of.
2. Be gentle with them. It's no doubt that everyone at home will be excited to have their pet back, and we're sure your pet will be just as excited to be home too. However, your pet is going to need some time to heal, which means they likely won't be able to play and run around the same way they used to for a little bit. That said, remind all family members to be extra gentle when approaching your pet and when touching your pet.
3. Make them comfortable. If your pet has a bed that they love to sleep in or a blanket that they love to rest on, prepare a spot for them with their favorite toys and accessories nearby so that they can rest and relax comfortably. Before they come home, you may even want to wash their blanket/bed so that everything is nice and fresh and fluffy for them upon their arrival!

Most importantly, don't forget to make time to cuddle and comfort your pet - your love and attention is extremely important to them! Whether you sit with them on the floor or have them set up nearby as you take care of household chores, what matters most is that you're there for them and providing the companionship they need to recover.

At Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital, some of the surgical procedures we provide are dog and cat spays and neuters, cat declaws, suturing lacerations, foreign body removal, hernia repair, cystotomy, and gastronomy. Before any procedure our veterinarians will always perform a physical exam on your pet as well as a pre-anesthetic blood test to ensure that they are in good health and to create an anesthetic protocol specifically for them to keep them safe and comfortable.

Some of our post-operative instructions include:

• Check your pet's suture area for signs of swelling, irritation or redness.
• Monitor your pet to make sure they are not chewing or licking their stitches - an E-collar can be sent home with you if needed.
• If your pet requires pain medication, follow the instructions provided and continue to monitor them for any signs of discomfort.

Of course, if you have any questions following your pet's discharge, please contact us so that we can help!

For more information about the surgical procedures we offer or to learn more about our post-operative care recommendations, please give us a call at (908) 464-0023.