Post-Surgery Care Tips for Spayed and Neutered Pets

The beginning of your pet’s recovery process starts the minute you bring it home after being spayed or neutered. Knowing how to care for your furry friend after a spay and neuter procedure is vital for maintaining its overall health and well-being. Our team at Lancaster Animal Clinic in Lancaster, OH, provides detailed at-home care instructions for pet parents to follow. We want to ensure your pet gets proper care to heal after these routine surgeries and avoid severe health complications. Continue reading for an overview of the surgery recovery basics needed to support your furry companion’s recovery process.

Limit Activity and Supervise Your Pet

The first 14 days after your pet’s surgery require strict activity limitations, which include keeping dogs on a leash when going outside, confining cats and rabbits to small rooms, and preventing rough play, running, and jumping. Place an e-collar on your pet if it licks or chews at incisions despite your vigilance. Always provide supervised bathroom breaks and monitor the incision site twice daily for proper healing.

Nutrition and Hydration

Ensure your pet eats plenty of food in the days following surgery. Nutrition helps your pet heal more quickly, so provide enticing canned or homemade food if necessary. Feeding smaller and more frequent meals can help pets with a decreased appetite. Make water freely available to maintain hydration. You should discuss with your veterinarian any supplements that could assist your pet’s healing process.

Manage Discomfort

Most pets experience some pain after surgery and wound care, but it is rarely severe. You must make sure your pet takes the medicine your veterinarian prescribes so its body can heal and recover after surgery. Natural remedies like pet-safe CBD oil may also ease your pet’s pain after surgery. Carefully observe your pet’s behavior for signs of discomfort. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice your pet in severe pain.

Watch for Concerning Symptoms

Your pet will likely experience some soreness and low energy after surgery, but alert your veterinarian immediately if you notice concerning symptoms like lethargy over 24 hours, vomiting or diarrhea for over six hours, bleeding or discharge at the incision site, or if your pet’s surgical area is swollen or hot. These may indicate a potential infection that needs veterinary care. We may prescribe antibiotics or recommend an exam to enable prompt treatment.

See a Veterinarian Near You in Lancaster, OH, for Post-Surgery Care

Ensuring your pet gets the best possible surgical recovery and wound care is vital for maintaining your pet’s overall health and wellness, so contact Lancaster Animal Clinic in Lancaster, OH, for the preventative care your pet needs to remain healthy and happy. We are here to help your pet through its surgery recovery and wound care. Your pet’s long-term health and well-being depend on attentive, loving care in the days and weeks post-surgery. Call us and schedule an appointment today at (740) 687-1591.