Dog - Discharge Instructions following Surgery

Although home nursing care following routine surgery mainly entails restriction of activity, it should be appreciated that this period of home nursing and supervision is just as important as the anaesthetic and procedure that has just been completed. The combination of modern anaesthetics and analgesics with modern surgical techniques ensures that initial recovery, even following major surgery, often only takes a few hours, after which your dog will want to behave as before.

Immediate post operative home nursing must ensure there is:

• No jumping or running
• No stair climbing
• No playing with other family pets
• No games or 'rough-housing'

If your dog is young and enthusiastic make sure that even for the toilet sessions the patient is on a secure collar and lead and returns indoors immediately. Depending on the particular surgery if the patient is to be left alone in the early postoperative days, confinement in a pen, cage or small area is advisable. You will receive specific instructions regarding how long this has to continue.

Since only 24 hours after her neutering operation my dog appears absolutely fine, why is this home nursing so important?

Since for this particular operation the abdominal cavity has to be entered and the uterus and ovaries removed, careful repair involving blood vessels, the wall of the abdomen and skin is required. This involves the insertion of sutures (stitches), some of which may have to be removed in 7–10 days. The patient is totally unaware of the significance of healing and the recovery period but if too active during this period injury or serious complications could result which sometimes necessitate further surgery with added discomfort for the dog and further expense for you.

What else do I have to do during this period until sutures are removed?

Inspect the incision daily for any redness, swelling, discharge or excessive licking on the part of the dog. If for example the surgery was for the repair of a wound, you will have been given instructions regarding dressings but should the bandage appear soiled or if you are concerned, please contact us.

What shall I do if my dog does continually lick the area?

We have available various sizes of protective collars which will prevent your dog from interfering with the surgical site. Licking and interference with the wound can result in suture breakdown. This can occur very quickly.

In view of this why do you not routinely dress all surgical wounds?

Depending on their reason and site sometimes bandaging is impracticable or impossible, e.g. sutured wounds involving the lips. Surgical wounds following neutering of either sex are usually left unbandaged since this results in less interest and interference by the patient.

How long does the nursing care and observation have to continue?

You will already have a recall appointment for check-up/removal of sutures by which time it is hoped that healing will be complete. However, following suture removal which is usually 7-10 days post surgery, it is wise to restrict boisterous activity for a further couple of weeks.

If you have any concerns please contact us.