My Pet Had Surgery; Now What?

This handsome pup is Jax from Ohio. We helped Jax in July 2023 with his treatment to shrink a tumor in his chest.

Your pet received the medical care they desperately needed! That’s wonderful news, but, as a pet parent, it is your responsibility to ensure your pet is safe during recovery. We know you are excited to get your furry friend home and the vet tech went over instructions with you about what you should and should not do, but now you're home and it’s a blur what she said. 🙀

Unfortunately, many veterinary hospitals send a pet home with little written instructions for the pet's parents about post-operative care.

Here are some tips to help ensure that your pet does not re-injure or hurt themselves post-op:

The biggest complaint from pet owners we hear is, “My pet doesn’t like the cone.” We also hear often “My pet does not lick at his incision area so I don’t put the cone on unless I am not home.”

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE THE CONE!

Unless you have your pet directly with you, meaning on the couch getting snuggles, supervised litter box time, supervised eating/drinking, or on a leashed walk. It only takes a few seconds for your pet to rip out sutures, lick the incision area, and get infected or your pet re-injuries itself because he was far too active.

1. Yes, those hard plastic cones look uncomfortable and yes your pet doesn’t like it. But, animals are great at adjusting. These cones are the safest way to prevent your pet from harming himself. If you decide to purchase a different type of cone, like the donut-shaped or cute soft pet-themed ones, PLEASE make sure your pet can not reach the surgery site!

This is Achilles a sweet kitty from Minnesota. We helped Achilles in October 2022 with his amputation surgery to remove a deformed limb. 

2. Once your pet is home, he may be still drowsy from the anesthesia. Place your pet in a quiet room AWAY FROM STAIRS with little foot traffic such as a spare bedroom or bathroom with their favorite things like a bed or toys and for the kitties a litter box.

3. Offer small amounts of water and food in single-serving bowls that allow your pet to get to with the CONE ON! (not a double bowl that has both water and food together.) Raising the bowl a few inches off the floor will also help your pet reach their food and water more easily.

4. READ the medication label instructions carefully that were sent home with your pet. Do not assume it’s once or twice a day. Some medications are tapered off, meaning the first 3 days are given 2x a day then once a day thereon. Some medications required refrigeration.

This adorable guy is Hawi from Hawaii. We helped Hawi in June 2024 with the cost of his surgery to remove painful bladder stones. 

5. Cat parents, the cone makes it difficult for your kitty to get in and out of tall-sided litter boxes especially boxes with lids. Purchase a lower-sided box is ideal; however, a dinner tray or roasting pan will work too. Get creative! Otherwise, please supervise your kitty for visits to the litter box without a cone on.

6. After dental surgeries, just like hooman’s it can be painful to eat or drink. Please provide soft food for a few days until the swelling has gone down and your pet is comfortable resuming his regular diet. If your pet eats dry food only try watering it down a little with lukewarm water.

7. After orthopedic surgeries, your pet needs LIMITED activity. Dog parents do not let your dog roam freely in the back yard, make sure you leash walk your dog until your veterinarian has given the all-clear to resume normal activity. For cat parents this is much harder; depending on the surgery your veterinarian may recommend crating your cat to prevent them from jumping on and off furniture or countertops. Again, find an area in your home that is safe.

This cute pup is Gordon from Kentucky. We helped Gordon in October 2023 with the cost of his life-saving surgery to remove a foreign object from his intestines. 

8. Keep your pet’s incision area clean and dry. This is not a time for baths. A stinky pet is better than an incision opening up because the sutures become wet and dissolve too quickly.

9. Don't skip your pet's follow-up appointment. Your veterinarian will need to monitor your pet’s progress and check for signs of infection. 

10. If you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s recovery; call your veterinarian immediately.

This BRAVE soldier is Rocket from North Carolina. We helped Rocket in September 2023 with his life-saving surgeries after being severely injured.