How to Soothe a Dog After Surgery
Here’re some of the key tips on how to soothe a dog after surgery. Ensuring a smooth and comfortable recovery is essential after our dog undergoes surgery. The following are some of the thing I’ve learned from my experience from taking care of Rambo after surgery.
Use a Ramp:
Bringing a ramp for your dog to get in and out of the car post-surgery is important for several reasons:
Minimize Strain and Injury Risk: After surgery, your dog’s body is in a vulnerable state. A lot of time they still feel grogy from the sedation/ anasthsia. Jumping in and out of the car can put unnecessary strain on their surgical site and joints. A ramp allows them to enter and exit the car without jumping, reducing the risk of re-injury or complications.
Pain Management: Post-surgery, your dog may experience pain and discomfort. By avoiding jumps and hard landings, you prevent additional stress on their healing body. A ramp provides a gentle, pain-free way for them to get in and out of the car, making travel more comfortable and less stressful.
Safety and Convenience: A ramp is a safe and convenient solution for both you and your dog. It eliminates the need for you to lift your dog, which can be difficult and potentially harmful to both of you, especially if your dog is large or heavy or doesn’t like to be carry.
Overall, using a ramp is a proactive measure to support your dog’s recovery and ensure their ongoing well-being.
2. Create a Comfortable Resting Area
Keeping the Dog Warm: After sedation, dogs may still feel disoriented and their body temperature can drop. To help Rambo recover faster, I like to use a kid blanket to keep him warm. If the weather is chilly, maintain your home at a moderate temperature to prevent them from getting too cold. You can also consider using a heated blanket or placing a warm water bottle wrapped in a towel near them to provide extra warmth. We don’t want our dog either too hot or too cold after
Quiet Space: Provide a quiet, comfortable, and warm area where your dog can rest undisturbed.
Soft Bedding + Wee Wee Pad : Use soft, supportive bedding to help reduce pressure on the surgical site and joints. Lined the dog bed with wee wee pad. It’s possible for a dog to sleep very deeply and urinate in their sleep while recovering from sedation. The sedative drugs can cause profound relaxation and deep sleep, which may result in temporary loss of bladder control. This can lead to the dog urinating while asleep, as they may not fully awaken or recognize the need to go outside.That was exactly what happened to Rambo during recovery for the past two surgeries. The first time I didn’t lined his bed with wee wee pad and I ended up had to throw away an expensive orthopedic dog bed.
3. Warm Ginger Tea for Nausea
Ginger tea is not just for human. You can share it with your dog too! In some cases, dogs can experience post-sedation nausea or an upset stomach. Ginger tea can be a natural remedy for nausea. This is a tip I learned from the holistic vet Dr. Jones.
I prepared a mild ginger tea for Rambo by steeping fresh ginger in hot water and allowing it to cool. You can add a little bit of local raw honey to make it more palatable. Then, I offered him small sips of this soothing tea. Ginger is known for its anti-nausea properties and can help alleviate any queasiness he might have felt.
4. Replenishing Electrolytes
Replenishing electrolytes for a dog after sedation is important for their recovery. Here are a few ways on how you can do it:
Offer Fresh Water: Ensure your dog has access to clean, fresh water at all times. This helps in maintaining hydration and balancing electrolytes naturally.
Electrolyte Solutions:
Commercial Canine Electrolyte Solutions: Products like Virbac Rebound Recuperation Formula for Dogs or Vet Classics Pet-A-Lyte Oral Electrolyte Solution are specifically designed for dogs and contain the necessary electrolytes.
Homemade Electrolyte Solution: You can try this homemade electrolytes for dogs with 3 ingredients: water, salt and sugar / local raw honey
Broth:
Commercial dog-friendly bone broth. Please don’t buy regular bone broth from the supermarket, as they are often high in sodium and contains onions. Some of my commercial dog-friendly brands are Native Pet and Open Farm. Native Pet’s bone broth are in powder form. It has two flavors: beef and chicken. Open Farm are in liquid forms. It has 3 flavors: beef, chicken and turley.
Homemade bone broth. You can also try this recipe quick and easy homemade chicken soup for dogs
5. Nutrition
Provide a diet that is easy to digest while your dog is recovering from sedation or anasthesia. You may need to offer smaller, more frequent meals if your dog’s appetite is reduced. Rambo is primarily on a raw diet. I prefer to feed him gently cooked food when he’s still recovering from anathesia because 1. it’s easier on his GI tract 2. cooked meat is lot more aromatic compared to raw, it helps to stimulate his appetite.
6. Detox
Sedatives and anesthetics can place additional stress on a dog’s liver. To support Rambo's post-sedation recovery, I like to incorporate the followings in his diet:
Vegetables: Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts contain glucosinolates, which help the liver produce detoxifying enzymes. Leafy vegetables are high in chlorophyll, which removes toxins from the bloodstream. I
Milk Thistles. I like started Rambo on a 2-week detox regimen using milk thistle from Animal Essentials. If your dog has to take NADISs post-surgery, make sure you consult your veterinarian or holistic vet to see if it’s safe to use.
7. Monitor the Surgical Site
Check for Infections: Regularly inspect the incision site for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or discharge.
Prevent Licking: Use an Elizabethan collar (e-collar) or a surgical suit to prevent your dog from licking or biting the wound.
8. Manage Physical Activity
Controlled Exercise: Follow your vet’s advice on when and how to reintroduce physical activity. Short, controlled walks are usually recommended initially.
Use a Ramp: If your dog needs to get in and out of the car, use a ramp to prevent jumping and reduce strain on the surgical site.
9. Monitor Behavior and Pain Levels
Watch for Signs of Pain: Be alert for signs of pain or discomfort, such as whining, restlessness, or changes in behavior.
Pain Management: Discuss pain management options with your vet to ensure your dog is comfortable.
10. Provide Enrichment
Mental Stimulation: Offer gentle, low-energy enrichment activities to keep your dog mentally stimulated without overexertion.
Interactive Toys: Use puzzle toys or safe chew toys to provide distraction and mental engagement.
By following these tips, you can help ensure your dog’s recovery is as smooth and stress-free as possible. Remember, every dog’s recovery journey is unique, so always consult your veterinarian for personalized advice and support.
Disclaimer: Please remember that I'm not a medical professional. The insights shared in this blog post are based on my personal research and the experiences I've gained as a crazy dog mom who is obsessed with my dog’s health. In cases where your dog has any medical issues or health concerns, it's vital to consult with a licensed veterinarian or a qualified animal healthcare provider. While I aim to provide informative content based on my personal experiences, it should never be considered a replacement for professional veterinary guidance.
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