Post-Op Dog Care: Essential Tips for Quick Recovery

Firstly, Caring for the Sutures

1. Prevent Your Dog from Licking the Sutures. After the painkillers and anesthetics wear off, your dog might be tempted to lick the sutures. This can not only harm the skin but also lead to infection. Try to discourage this behavior. It may be necessary to use an Elizabethan collar around your dog's neck to prevent it.

2. Avoid Letting Your Dog Scratch the Wound. Once the wound starts to heal, it may become itchy, prompting your dog to scratch. If this occurs, intervene to stop the scratching. Wrap the wound with gauze or a bandage, and continue to monitor your dog to ensure it doesn't scratch the wound.

3. Keep the Wound Clean. Ensure your dog doesn't dirty the wound, as this can lead to infection or other complications. This means keeping your dog indoors or away from muddy areas or thickly wooded regions during its recovery period.

4. Maintain Dryness Around the Wound and Sutures. Avoid bathing your dog during the healing process, as water can promote bacterial growth and cause infection. Keep the incision and sutures dry at all times.

To keep the sutures and bandages dry when your dog is outdoors, place a plastic bag or sealant around the area. Remove it as soon as your dog returns inside.

5. Monitor the Wound. If there's no bandage, inspect the sutures several times a day. This helps you detect any changes or signs of infection, which are crucial for your dog's healing. The wound should appear clean with edges that are touching. Some bruising around the incision is normal, and the skin around the wound might be slightly redder than the surrounding area.

The wound may also be slightly swollen or raised. There may be slight leakage, such as a drop of clear or bloody fluid. However, if you notice abnormal swelling, leakage, discharge, or a yellowgreen discharge, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Secondly, Managing Your Dog's Behavior

1. Limit Excessive Activity. When your dog has sutures, it's important to restrict its physical activity. Stretching or overexertion can cause swelling at the surgical site. Avoid allowing your dog to climb stairs, jump to greet people, or engage in other vigorous activities, as it may strain the surgical area, leading to inflammation, swelling, pain, and discomfort.

This can be challenging at home. If you find it difficult to keep your dog calm, you may need to confine it to a crate to limit its range of movement.

2. Keep Your Dog Away from Other Dogs. Other dogs might want to lick your dog's wound when it's healing, so keep your pet isolated from other dogs during this time, including those in your own home.

3. Seek Veterinary Advice If in Doubt. Your pet's health is paramount. If you notice excessive bleeding, abnormal swelling, or discharge from the wound, or if your dog starts to show signs of fever, illness, vomiting, or any other signs of poor health, contact your veterinarian without delay.