Two Steps You Can Take to Reduce the Risk of Your Dog Suffering From Post-Operative Complications
If your vet has informed you that your dog needs to undergo an operation at the local animal hospital, here are some steps you can take to prevent your pet from developing post-operative complications (such as infections and excess bleeding).
Keep your dog's stress levels down in the run-up to the operation
A dog with a strong immune system will be less likely to suffer from post-operative infections and other complications than a dog who has a weaker immune system.
Stress can have a very negative impact on your pet's immune system and thus increase their chances of developing health problems after their procedure. As such, it's sensible to do what you can to keep their stress levels low in the run-up to their appointment at the animal hospital.
First and foremost, take them out for an extra-long walk every day during the week before their surgery; exercise will release any pent-up nervous energy in their bodies, which will help them to feel more at ease. Secondly, spend a little bit more time brushing and petting them; most dogs find this very soothing and relaxing.
Last but not least, if your dog tends to get anxious when they go to the vet, it may be worth bringing along their favourite chew toy or blanket when taking them to the animal hospital. The waiting rooms in animal hospitals are often full of animals who are distressed or in pain. This could affect your dog and make them feel stressed, too. However, objects such as the aforementioned toy and blanket should help to comfort and distract them, and thus help to keep their stress levels to a minimum.
Follow your vet's instructions to the letter
When you go to collect your pet from the animal hospital after their procedure, your vet will almost certainly provide you with a detailed list of instructions which explain exactly how to care for your dog whilst their wound heals. If you want to spare your pet the pain and distress of post-operative complications, it is absolutely essential to follow these instructions to the letter.
For example, if the surgical incision is on a part of your dog's body that they could potentially access with their mouth, your vet will probably recommend that your pet wear a cone collar for at least a few days so that they cannot bite or scratch the incision (as this could lead to the stitches being torn and the wound bleeding profusely, or the incision becoming infected).
Dogs generally dislike these cones; as such, your pet may whimper or whine a lot whilst they are wearing it. However, it is important not to take it off just because you feel sorry for them, as dong so could put them at risk of serious health issues.