Caring For Your Pet After Spaying Or Neutering
Posted on: 20 January 2016
All responsible pet owners should have their dog or cat spayed or neutered as soon as they are old enough. This prevents over-breeding of the animal and protects you in case your pet gets out and ends up with unplanned puppies or kittens. Spaying and neutering pets is a surgical procedure, so there are some things you should do for your pet to help speed up the healing process and ensure that they are as comfortable as possible until they've completely healed.
Limit Activity
Your dog or cat should stay inside after surgery so that you can closely monitor them and prevent them from getting injured. Try to limit their activity and keep them from running or jumping too much after surgery. If you need to take your dog outside, keep them on a leash, and always make sure they go up and down the stairs slowly and carefully. Try to prevent them from jumping onto furniture if possible. Your pet will be a bit groggy for about a full day after surgery due to the anesthesia, and it's important that they have a soft, comfortable, and quiet area where they can rest and heal.
Feeding Help
Do not feed your pet immediately after they've been spayed or neutered, since the anesthesia can cause them to get an upset stomach. Try to limit food and water intake for at least four hours after the surgery. They can lick a few ice cubes if they need to be hydrated, and then you can put out a smaller-than-normal-sized amount of food and water after the initial four hours to avoid overeating. Slowly and gradually increase their food intake after the first day until their appetite and digestion returns to normal.
Post-Surgery Care
Your veterinarian may give you a special collar to put on your pet to keep them from biting or licking the incision area. Make sure the collar fits them comfortably and is not too tight or loose. There should be about one finger's worth of space between the collar and their neck to provide the best amount of comfort. Check their incision often to ensure there are no signs of infection. There may be a small amount of blood or discharge initially, but this should subside within the first day or two. If you notice that the incision has become swollen, dry, or extremely red, contact your vet immediately. Gently clean your pet's incision with a warm wash cloth or a cotton ball daily to help keep the area free of bacteria. You can also use a mild diluted soap to assist with the cleaning. Try not to bathe your pet or let them go in water for at least two weeks after surgery to ensure that the area has completely healed. With a little bit of care and time, your pet should recover from their recent spay or neuter surgery just fine and resume their normal, happy life at home.
For veterinary care, contact a facility such as Akaal Pet Hospital.
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