By Dr. Laura Hady
While I was recently hospitalized for appendicitis, I had some time to rest and reflect on steps to ensure a successful recovery not only for me but also for my patients. Our beloved pets need time to recover after routine surgeries, such as spays and neuters, as well as from more complex operations, such as those involving mass removals, knee repairs, and bone fractures. Here is a list of five top factors that may help ensure your pets recover well:
- Safety is something we may forget to focus on in recovery. To keep our furry friends from running, jumping, and making sharp turns – all of which can put stress on an incision – we should confine our animals in a crate or small room, especially when we are not home. I encourage owners to crate train or help their pets feel comfortable in a smaller area of the home before surgery. This may involve using treats, favorite items such as blankets or toys, and visualization of the owner or other household pets while confined. Safety also includes keeping your pet from licking or scratching an incision. If traditional plastic Elizabethan collars don’t work for your pet, consider softer, fabric doughnut-shaped neck collars. Keeping a human or dog “onesie,” or other breathable clothing, over the surgical wound provides an extra layer of protection for the skin. Make sure to keep bandages dry by preventing your pet from getting into any water or from licking at and removing the bandage.
- Rest and sleep are so important to healing as this helps regenerate cells and tissues. Pets’ bodies need that critical rest to produce healing proteins, decrease inflammation, aid in immune function to fight infections, and elevate mood. I have used orthopedic beds, music, and massage to help my pets fall asleep. When my pets have a restful sleep, then I do, too, and we are both ready to face a new day of recovery.
- Controlling pain and anxiety are critical. For each of my patients, the owners and I come up with a medication plan that may include pet-safe non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, antibiotics to combat infections, compounds to block the perception of pain, and drugs to decrease anxiety about being still or confined in a smaller area. Balancing all three types of medications allows for improved rest, less stress, and decreased licking of the incision. With any medication regimen, we discuss the side effects of each drug and possible interactions before the pet goes home.
- Decreasing boredom is essential in any recovery program. When your animal cannot exercise as much as normal, it may exhibit behaviors such as destruction, barking, and decreased appetite. The books Brain Games for Dogs and Mental Exercises for Dogs are wonderful resources to help owners create puzzles at home. There are also several enrichment toys available online for purchase, but often our animals like homemade items just as much or more. For example, I fill a plastic bottle with kibble, and my dogs spend hours trying to get the food out. Please check with your veterinarian about a specific amount and time for exercise.
- Nutrition can add three positive effects to a recovery. Reducing food may be necessary as your pet will not be as active in the recovery period. You don’t want weight gain to decrease mobility in the future. Increased fiber in diets may help to promote a feeling of “fullness” while the food is reduced and help to decrease side effects of medications such as diarrhea or constipation. Finally, nutrition helps healing by providing the correct nutrients for recovery. When a patient is nauseated, picky, or refuses to eat, your family veterinary staff can help guide you on how to cook special homemade items and may provide appetite stimulants.
I am constantly amazed at how quickly animals can heal compared to myself. Please use your family veterinary staff as a resource for ideas to help with issues after the surgery. If you need to leave town or work long hours during your pet’s recovery, consider seeking support from a local business that provides rehabilitation care. Another option is to have a veterinary technician stay with your pet for the hours or the days that you are gone.
