After surgery on his leg, the dog is sleeping. Postoperative care for the dog. How is a dog sterilized? A few words about care after surgery

The correct approach during the postoperative period is one of the keys to success in treating your pet. The stages of recovery after surgery can be divided into several periods:

The first requires constant monitoring of the animal, including the administration of medications, care of sutures, restriction of movement, etc. This period lasts in most cases 10-14 days and ends with the removal of the sutures. Then comes the second period, when control over the animal can be relaxed, but as a rule minor restrictions still remain. For example: after orthopedic operations, control over excessive movement of the animal, physiotherapeutic measures and exercises are maintained. This period lasts on average from two weeks to several months. For animals that have undergone planned low-traumatic operations (for example, castration of a male cat), this period is usually absent. And finally, the third period begins, which is characterized by the almost complete recovery of the animal after surgery. Those. an animal can lead a full life, but in some cases there are some restrictions. For example: after even a planned cesarean section, a scar remains on the uterus, which further increases the risks of a repeat cesarean section in case of repeated births. Or the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis of the elbow joint after surgery to remove the fragmented coronoid process also increases. Therefore, the owners of such patients must pay attention to even the most minor symptoms and contact their doctor in a timely manner in order to take timely measures and prevent the disease from developing to its full potential.

2. Tell us that it is not always possible to take your pet home right away; sometimes you need to leave it at the clinic. In what cases and for how long?

A long time ago, when veterinary clinics were not yet equipped with medical equipment that helps monitor the patient’s condition, and anesthesia was administered to animals right in the corridor, animals were returned asleep after surgery. The owners were told that it was necessary to monitor breathing and ensure that the tongue did not fall into the trachea. In such a situation, the owner created an imaginary feeling of involvement in what was happening and control over the situation, and the doctor sighed with relief and believed that if something happened to the animal, then in any case it was due to the owner’s oversight. In such a situation, everyone was happy with everything, both the owner and the doctor. In modern clinics the situation has changed radically. In order to minimize anesthetic risks, the animal must be left in the clinic for several hours and sometimes days. In order for the anesthesiologist to have the opportunity to qualitatively examine the patient before surgery, in some cases, conduct a number of additional studies, develop a protocol for anesthesiological support that is most suitable for this particular patient. At this time, surgery and instrumentation are also prepared. The surgical intervention itself is the shortest period of time the patient is in the clinic.

Sanitation of the dog's oral cavity. The procedure takes 15-45 minutes. During anesthesia, the animal's condition is monitored using a heart monitor.

After surgery, the animal must be stabilized. If we are talking about simple surgical interventions, ear cropping, castration, opening an abscess, sanitation of the oral cavity, etc., then this period is quite short from 15 minutes to 1-2 hours.

The dog at the time of completion of rehabilitation. The animal is given oxygen therapy.

Once the animal is fully awake, it can be sent home. But if the animal has undergone surgery, for example on the chest cavity or brain, then such animals should remain in hospital until their condition stabilizes. This period can sometimes take from several days to several weeks. This is due to the fact that the severity of the condition of such patients can change very quickly and only timely adoption of adequate measures will lead to the patient’s recovery. Intensive therapists, not owners, should be with such animals.

3. How to prepare the house for the arrival of an animal after surgery? Should there be a toilet next to his place? Do I need to buy a “collar” or a special bandage?

If the animal has undergone surgery, the owner certainly needs to prepare the house for the post-operative period of his pet. Features of preparation depend on the specifics of the operation. For example: if an operation was performed on the oral cavity (jaw fracture, bite correction, neoplasms in the oral cavity), then it is necessary to remove all toys and objects that the dog can chew. It is also necessary to isolate other animals. If the animal has stitches, then it is advisable to have spare post-operative blankets and collars at home, since animals can tear or break them. If orthopedic surgery has been performed, then it is necessary to prepare the floor so that the animal does not slip while moving. Your doctor should tell you about all these features.

4. How does your pet usually behave after surgery? What behavior can be considered normal, and when is it better to immediately contact a veterinarian?

Normally, the animal’s behavior after surgery should not differ much from the preoperative period. Of course, for the first day or two, dogs and cats may be calmer and react less to external stimuli. But they must maintain their appetite, they must walk, recognize their owners, and go to the toilet. After metal osteosynthesis for limb fractures, animals should immediately rest on the operated paws. There should be no bleeding from the suture, only minor spotting on the first day. In any case, the animal’s behavior is determined not only by its general health, but also by its individual reaction to the damaging factor and stress associated with the injury. Some easily excitable animals may whine and cry out even with very minor pain reactions, or very balanced patients with a lower pain threshold may step on and use a limb that must be protected after surgery. In any case, if the owner seems that the dog or cat is behaving inappropriately, or any symptoms appear that are alarming, it is better to show it again, or call your doctor.

5. Is it possible to walk the dog immediately after the operation or should it spend several days at home?

In most cases, you can walk your dog immediately after surgery. In some cases, movement is even indicated during the postoperative period of orthopedic operations or recovery from paresis or paralysis. You just need to take into account unfavorable weather conditions. If it snows or rains, you need to consider additional protection for the seams.

6. How and with what to treat the wound yourself? Can I cope on my own or is it better to go to a clinic? In what cases should you go to the clinic?

In most cases, owners process the seams themselves; this procedure is quite simple and does not require special skills. There are a lot of preparations for treating sutures, some of them have a prolonged effect (act for several days), some have the effect of a liquid dressing (form a film that prevents the penetration of infection), some have a pronounced antibacterial effect. Therefore, postoperative prescriptions must indicate which drug and with what frequency it is necessary to treat the sutures. If discharge appears from the stitches, the stitches turn red, or signs of swelling appear, this is a reason to immediately go to the clinic and not self-medicate.

7. How to feed your pet after surgery? Are there any dietary considerations if your pet is taking medications/injections?

As a rule, the patient can be fed within a few hours after surgery. The exception is operations on the gastrointestinal tract. Then the fasting diet can last for up to several days. Sometimes animals may refuse food, which may be associated with post-traumatic pain or the patient’s severe general condition. A special feature for cats is that in such cases they must be force-fed, since with a starvation diet, even a healthy animal can develop fatty hepatosis. Starving a dog even for a few days is not a problem. There are also a number of medications that must be used before, after or during meals. Features of taking such drugs should be indicated in postoperative prescriptions.

8. Is it necessary to give your pet more attention and affection, or is it better to leave him alone during this time?

How much and what kind of attention can and should be given to each pet in different circumstances is best known only by the owner who lives with his pet side by side. There are animals that are looking for affection and support at a time when I am experiencing physical and mental discomfort, there are animals that are better not to touch, to leave alone until they come up and demand your attention. These are all nuances that owners know better than their attending physician.

9. After what time can I start playing with my pet? Why should this absolutely not be done immediately after surgery?

After surgery, it is better to postpone playing with your pet for a while. Because during games, animals can get so excited that they practically stop paying attention to pain. In this case, a jump in blood pressure may occur, which will lead to bleeding, or premature excessive support after orthopedic surgery can lead to damage to metal structures and displacement of bone fragments. There are a number of surgical interventions in which movement must be minimized as much as possible. For example, skin grafting with free flap transfer requires complete immobilization of the operated area. Such patients should be placed in small isolated boxes, so there is simply no talk of any games.

10. Are any additional measures needed during this period if the pet is old?

Old age, as you know, is not a diagnosis. Therefore, there are no special measures in the postoperative period for older patients. The period of tissue regeneration and suture fusion may slightly lengthen, which is associated with a decrease in the regenerative abilities of the body.

11. Are there any other features of caring for an animal during the postoperative period?

In order for the postoperative period to pass as quickly and painlessly as possible, you must strictly follow the instructions of your attending physician. Under no circumstances should you self-medicate or use miracle ointments created by your neighbor’s grandmother or miracle drugs that you read about on the Internet. Find a doctor you completely trust and strictly follow all of his recommendations.

Ksenia Andreevna Lavrova, plastic surgeon
Nesterova Svetlana Valerievna anesthesiologist

In cases of intestinal blockage and other serious conditions in dogs, a successful operation is only half the success. And the second half of success is care after surgery. And it depends on what kind of post-operative care you provide to your dog whether it will live.

Postoperative care in dogs includes:
— antibacterial therapy (antibiotics);
- intravenous drip administration of solutions (droppers). Saline solutions, glucose, and, if necessary, amino acid solutions for parenteral nutrition;
— detoxification (sorbents),
- cardiac medications, as well as, if necessary, medications for various organs (liver, kidneys, pancreas, etc.)

More information about post-operative care in dogs:

1) Antibiotics. After any surgical intervention on the abdominal cavity (including after pyometra, removal of a foreign body from the intestine, and, of course, with peritonitis), antibiotics are required. Ceftriaxone is quite suitable at the rate of 1 gram per 42 kg of weight daily dose or 25-30 thousand per kilogram of weight (also a daily dose). The daily dose can be administered intramuscularly once a day, or can be divided into 2 times. Dilute with 0.5% novocaine. Your doctor may prescribe a higher dosage of ceftriaxone.
The duration of the antibiotic course depends on the type of surgery. If it was a planned sterilization, 5 days will be enough (if everything is fine, the temperature is normal, the dog is eating).
If the dog has been operated on for pyometra, or an enterotomy has been performed (surgery on the intestines), and even more so if peritonitis has begun, an antibiotic is administered for 7-10 days. If necessary - 14 days. If necessary, you can continue the course of one antibiotic for 3 weeks. But, in my opinion, if there is no positive dynamics within 10-14 days after the operation, you need to either change the antibiotic or, in addition to ceftriaxone (or another antibiotic that you use), prescribe IV Metrogyl for antibacterial therapy. Dose: for example, for a dog weighing 30 kg, we administer 50 ml of Metrogyl intravenously once a day. If your dog has peritonitis, you do not need to wait 10-14 days after surgery. Prescribe Metrogyl, it gives good results in the treatment of peritonitis.

2) Intravenous drip administration of solutions.
After scheduled sterilization of a healthy dog, this item is not necessary.

If the dog has not eaten for several days before the operation, and will not eat for several more days after the operation (for example, during intestinal surgery), drip administration of solutions is a mandatory procedure after the operation. And to relieve intoxication, and to normalize the volume of fluid in the body, and to normalize the salt composition of the blood.

Dosage: 20-30 ml of liquid per kg of dog weight is the daily dose.

5% glucose solution (if the dog does not have diabetes). Saline solution, Ringer's solution, Ringer-Locke solution. After the operation, the dog does not eat for the first day, this is normal. He may not eat for 2 or 3 days. In particular, after intestinal surgery, the dog is not fed for three days. If the dog is not exhausted, it is quite possible to live for 3 days on solutions, without additional nutrition.
If the dog was exhausted before the operation, or if the period without food is prolonged. There are severe cases when the dog does not eat for up to a week, and sometimes longer (with high levels of creatinine, urea, amylase, other reasons for refusal of food are possible). In this case, amino acid solutions for parenteral nutrition should be added to the aqueous solutions.

3) Add to the dropper ascorbic acid, sulfocamphocaine, thiotriazoline (or riboxin).

4) If there is a financial and physical opportunity, you can do it immediately after the operation blood chemistry. Biochemistry will show which organs need special attention and what other drugs are needed for treatment. If it was not immediately possible to do a biochemical blood test, you can start using the standard regimen. If after 3 days the dog has not started eating, then we still do blood biochemistry to understand what and how to treat.
If it is not possible to do blood tests, we turn on logic. After all, once upon a time dogs were not given blood biochemistry and were treated somehow. Let's play it safe. We take Essentiale intravenously (or Gepar compositum) for the liver, and Solidago compositum for the kidneys. As a budget option, you can take thiotriazoline: it is good for both the liver and the heart. Contrical for the pancreas.

5) Traumeel.
After planned sterilization, it is quite possible to do without traumeel.
In more severe cases traumeel is VERY good, as a means Relieving inflammation and accelerating regeneration (healing).
We start with intravenous administration, then switch to intramuscular. If the situation is severe, the inflammation is significant, the first 2-3 days are injected every day. Then we switch to injections every other day, then 2 times a week.
If the situation is initially not bad, we start every other day, then 2 times a week. If the operation was planned, the animal feels well, a day after the operation it begins to eat, and you can easily do without tarumel.
But this article is about postoperative period specifically after severe conditions: pyometra, peritonitis, enterotomy (intestinal dissection).

6) If after intestinal surgery doesn't work vomit, it is not always possible to use cerucal, so as not to provoke too active intestinal contractions. And, by the way, cerucal does not always help. The injection drug Rantak (ranitidine) can be very helpful.

If the dog has already experienced peritonitis, a very important point is proper sanitation of the abdominal cavity.

And, of course, special attention to the processing of seams.

Even if the dogs were successfully sterilized, care after the operation must be thoughtful and thorough. Insufficient attention to the pet during the rehabilitation period can negate all the efforts of the surgeon. The owner should know what symptoms to consult a doctor for, how to speed up the recovery process, and what behavior of the dog after sterilization is considered normal.

Abdominal surgery under deep anesthesia is a serious test for the body. In order not to undermine your pet’s health, you need to write down the doctor’s recommendations and follow them exactly, not trusting the advice of friends. A responsible veterinarian will tell you everything about caring for your dog after sterilization, based on your specific case. The article provides only general recommendations, the final word belongs to the doctor!

During anesthesia, all body functions slow down, so the dog can freeze, even if it is warm outside and indoors - you need to transport your pet in a box, on a bedding, covering the sleeping dog with a blanket. To ensure that the dog’s recovery after sterilization is not complicated by muscle pain and general weakness, the pet should be laid at home on a flat surface, on a mattress, and also covered with a blanket. Do not place the lounger in a draft, on a bed, near a radiator, or use a heating pad - heating can lead to internal bleeding.

While the dog is sleeping, it may wet itself - use absorbent diapers and change them regularly so that your pet does not freeze. Switch your dog from side to side every half hour to reduce the risk of pulmonary edema and avoid numbness in the limbs.

During the period of anesthetic sleep, caring for the dog after sterilization is reduced to observation. It is important that your breathing and heart rate are smooth, without interruptions. A good sign is the presence of reactions to stimuli (if you tickle, the dog withdraws its paw or ear). The absence of reactions means that the level of the drug for induction of anesthesia is still quite high, and the pet will not come to its senses soon.

To prevent sterilization of dogs from leading to sore throats and sore eyes during the postoperative period, you should moisturize the mucous membranes every half hour: drops of “Artificial Tears” in the eyes and a few drops of water on the cheek. But if the dog is already regaining consciousness, changes position during sleep, reacts to touch, or if the surgeon has treated the tailed patient’s eyelids with gel, these precautions are unnecessary.

Many owners do not know what to do after sterilizing a dog if the pet’s condition worsens. If signs of illness are noticeable, you should urgently contact a veterinarian without trying to help your pet yourself! In rare cases, after anesthesia, pulmonary edema develops, respiratory and cardiovascular functions are impaired, which can be noticed by the following symptoms:

uneven breathing, intermittent, heavy, the dog breathes with an open mouth. You can hear wheezing, squelching and gurgling in the chest;

temperature is more than 1 degree above or below normal. A slight (half a degree) decrease in temperature during anesthesia and a slight increase in temperature during the first two days after anesthesia are considered normal;

the heart beats frequently or rarely, intermittently. The mucous membranes are very pale or bluish. A short, slight trembling is considered normal, but if it does not go away within half an hour or turns into convulsions, consult a doctor immediately.

Often, recovery after sterilization of a dog, or more precisely, after recovery from anesthesia, is mentally exhausting for the owner. The dog, having already woken up, but still under the influence of the drug, looks very weak - it staggers, bumps into corners, freezes for a long time in one position, looks strange, and slowly reacts to the voice. Sometimes a dog’s behavior changes dramatically after sterilization: panic, aggression are possible, the pet crawls under the bed, does not allow itself to be touched, and does not recognize family members. This is all normal, don’t be alarmed. You need to wait until motor functions and other reflexes are fully restored: calm your pet, sit next to her, caress her - let her sleep or just lie down.

If the dog does not allow you to approach him (in extremely rare cases, deep anesthesia causes hallucinations, which does not require treatment), there is no need to insist: close all the cracks where the pet can crawl, and leave it alone, observing the behavior and condition of the pet from the outside. .

Report any changes in behavior or any symptoms of illness to your veterinarian immediately. Do not hesitate to bother the doctor by calling - consultations during the postoperative period are included in the cost of the procedure.

Read also: Castration of dogs: general questions

Seams: processing and other precautions

If after castration the stitches rarely bother a male dog, then with females it is more complicated. Some doctors prescribe painkillers right away, others only when necessary. This need occurs if:

the owner knows that the dog does not tolerate pain well. You need to inform your doctor about this in advance;

the owner notices that rehabilitation after sterilization of the dog is complicated by severe pain. For example, a pet whines during defecation, moves with caution, whines during sudden movements, and gnaws furiously at the seam.

The use of painkillers can significantly speed up the recovery process, since, in pain, the dog is reluctant to move and constantly damages the suture with its teeth. In addition, many veterinarians prescribe antibiotics to eliminate the risk of inflammation. Do not neglect the recommendations, referring to the words of friends: “but we didn’t stuff the dog with anything!”

Whether suture treatment will be necessary after a dog is spayed depends on the type of suture material, the method of suturing, and the method of postoperative treatment. Those. in each specific case, drugs are prescribed only by a doctor. If the veterinarian said that there is no need to treat the suture, but the owner notices that the wound takes a long time to heal or suddenly becomes inflamed (swelling, redness, rash, discharge of any color), a second consultation is required. The seam after sterilization of the dog should be dry, without any crusts or ulcers, without scratching or other signs of inflammation. Normally, changes for the better are noticeable every day.

To protect the seam from bacteria and various mechanical damage, you will need a blanket for the dog after sterilization. Usually the dog is given to the owners already in a blanket, but one is not enough - the thin, breathable material quickly gets dirty and wet. It is advisable to change the bandage once a day, putting a clean and always ironed (even if it is new) blanket on your pet. There is no need to remove the blanket when processing the seam; just untie a few ribbons and move the material to the side.

Sterilization surgery is performed to stop childbearing and involves tying the fallopian tubes in females or the seminal ducts in males. At the same time, the production of sex hormones does not stop, and the animal’s behavior does not change.

When spaying male dogs, a small incision is made in the scrotum, then a surgical thread is placed on the vas deferens. In females, this operation is more complicated: in order to gain access to the fallopian tubes, the peritoneum must be opened. Often, veterinarians refer to sterilization as castration of females, when all reproductive organs are removed during the operation. But in any case, the rehabilitation process in females takes longer and is more difficult than in males.

Properly organized care for a dog that has undergone sterilization surgery alleviates its condition during the rehabilitation period and reduces the risk of complications.

The first day after surgery

Upon arrival home, it is advisable to lay the operated dog on a flat surface with bedding (preferably on the floor so that it cannot fall while moving) and cover it with a blanket. Periodically, you should moisturize the oral mucosa by dripping a few drops of water into your mouth. During recovery from anesthesia, reflex urination may occur, so you need to be prepared to replace the bedding.

The animal can come to its senses almost immediately or after a few hours - it depends on its body and the dose of anesthetic. The first sign that the dog will soon wake up will be its reaction to irritation - twitching of its paws or ears. Since motor reflexes are not restored immediately, the animal may feel weak and helpless for some time, but this does not last long.

Important! As soon as the dog is fully awake, you need to offer him water or wet his nose and tongue with water. The animal should not be fed on the first day after surgery, as vomiting may be a reaction to food.

While the dog is under anesthesia, it is advisable to ensure constant monitoring. If everything is going well, your breathing and heart rate should be rhythmic. A slight increase in temperature is acceptable, and short-term periodic muscle twitching or trembling may occur.

Signs of danger

Dangerous signs in the postoperative period are:

heavy uneven breathing;
uneven or rapid heart rate;
trembling or muscle twitching lasting more than half an hour;
blood impurities in the urine;
suppuration of the suture;
lack of urine for more than a day;
significant increase in temperature.

Such symptoms may indicate the development of complications: cardiac dysfunction, pulmonary edema, or the development of a purulent infection. Detection of any of the above signs should be a reason to urgently consult a doctor.

Rehabilitation period

To prevent the development of a bacterial infection, antibiotic injections are prescribed from the first day after surgery: Oxacillin, Amoxicillin, Ceftriaxone or Cefazolin. The standard course of antibiotic therapy is 5-7 days. If the dog is in pain, whines, avoids sudden movements, or tries to reach the scar, it is worth giving it analgesics for several days, since severe pain can slow down the healing process.

The stitches are treated with an antiseptic (chlorhexine or hydrogen peroxide) for at least a week, 2 times a day; it is strictly forbidden to wet the wound. To care for the seam you can also use:

Levomekol ointment (apply it 1-2 times a day, covering it with a gauze cloth);
Terramycin spray (suture treatment is carried out every 3 days);
Aluminum spray (a product that forms a thin film that prevents contamination of the seam; it must be applied once a day).

The stitches are removed after 1.5 - 2 weeks. Most modern veterinary clinics use absorbable suture material during surgery; such sutures do not need to be removed. To prevent the dog from licking and scratching the wound, they put on an apron blanket (you need to have several of these blankets in order to change them as they become dirty). If necessary, you can purchase a special hard collar in the shape of a funnel - it will deprive the animal of the opportunity to reach the itchy seam with its teeth.

You can start feeding your pet one day after surgery. Food should be given in small portions, the food in the first few days should be soft and easily digestible: pates, minced meat, baby formula. Delayed stool for up to 3 days does not pose a danger, since the animal’s stomach was empty before sterilization, and intestinal motility was slow after anesthesia. If the dog does not recover for more than 3 days, he can be given one or two tablespoons of Vaseline oil.

Helpful information. Rehabilitation of a dog after sterilization takes about 2 weeks. In the future, it is advisable to switch her to a low-calorie diet, since sterilized animals are often prone to gaining excess weight.

Lines of ready-made food intended for castrated and sterilized animals are produced by Products Limited, Agras Delic, Purina, Bosch Tiernahrung. If you prepare food for your animal at home, it is advisable to choose lean meats and add fiber-rich vegetables to it.

You can also ask questions to our site's resident veterinarian, who will answer them as soon as possible in the comment box below.

Veterinarian video tips about postoperative care:

When will my dog have her first bowel movement after surgery? Many dogs will not pass stool for the first 4 to 5 days after surgery.
Reasons that a dog will not have regular bowel movements after surgery include:
The dog was fasting before the operation
Dogs do not eat well during their stay in the hospital (overexposure)
Their appetite is often impaired, at home, in the first days after surgery.
Feed easily digestible foods that produce little stool
Pain medications that contain narcotics (such as fentanyl and tramadol) - possible constipation
If the animal does not have stool on the 5th day, it may be necessary to give Vaseline oil orally or other laxatives. My pet has had surgery and is not eating yet. What can be done? Dogs
Most pets will not eat their normal dog food after surgery, especially if it is large pieces.
Example: Prepare a diet with a 1:01 ratio of protein source to carbohydrate source. The protein source can be any meat (example: chicken breast, turkey fillet) that is low in fat and can be cooked (drain off all fat after the meat has been cooked). Carbohydrates: Can be pasta, potatoes or white rice.
Try canned food, dog food; flavor enhancers, sprinkle a very small amount of garlic powder or chicken or beef broth (chemical seasonings, to create flavor)
Try canned baby meats such as chicken, beef, turkey, or veal.
Try Hill's D Diets available at most veterinary clinics
Hand feeding: Place a small amount of food in the mouth so that your dog can taste it
The food should be warm, as the food will be more flavorful; Stir food before feeding and check the temperature on the underside of your wrist; it should be only slightly warm.
Remember that most pets will not eat for the first day or two after they return home from surgery

Cats
Offer (smelly) foods that contain a fishy odor, such as tuna or stinky cat food (you can pour juice from a tuna can on your cat's regular food)
Try Gerber baby meats such as chicken, beef, turkey or veal
Hand feeding: Apply a small amount of food into your cat's mouth with your finger; You can use a syringe to pour soft food into the mouth, behind the fang, while raising your head slightly up.
The food should be warm, as the food will be more flavorful; Stir the food before feeding and check the temperature on the underside of the wrist, it should be only slightly warm. Some cats only eat dry food, try kibble. Petting your cat will often help stimulate his appetite.
Remember that most pets will not eat for the first day or two after they return home from surgery.
Appetite stimulants such as cyproheptadine may be helpful
If your cat refuses to eat anything for 7 days, a gastric tube or nasogastric tube should be inserted and fed to prevent serious liver problems (hepatic lipidosis) from developing. My pet is vomiting. What can be done? The first thing you need to understand is whether vomiting is a consequence of the use of drugs or after surgery. Regurgitation is the rapid movement of liquids or gases in the direction opposite to normal, occurring in a hollow muscular organ as a result of contraction of its wall.
The most common cause of regurgitation is a dysfunction of the gastrointestinal sphincters or dividing septa (for example, heart valves), or during an antiperistaltic wave of contraction of the muscular wall of the organ. Regurgitation differs from reflux (passive flow of fluid into adjacent spaces) in that it is a consequence of active muscle contraction. Typically, when regurgitation occurs, the fluid will be brown in color.
Next, you should determine the cause of vomiting or regurgitation.
Causes and treatment of vomiting after surgery
Sometimes some pets returning home after a hospital stay may drink excessive amounts of water at one time and may vomit, and if this is the case, water should be limited to frequent small amounts.
Medicines such as antibiotics, narcotics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs often cause vomiting after surgery. In order to see which medication is causing the problem, the administration of each drug should be separated by 2 hours from each other. Typically, your pet may vomit or become nauseated (drooling and looking sick) within 1 hour of using the medication. It is possible that your pet is sensitive to these specific medications. The antibiotic in some cases may be changed to another drug, or may be stopped altogether.
Stomach upset from anesthesia is a potential cause of vomiting and will subside within a few days.
Often the cause of vomiting after surgery is internal organ failure. Blood tests before and after surgery will confirm or refute this hypothesis. If this is the reason for vomiting, it should not be ignored if it lasts more than 24 hours!
If your pet has had intestinal or stomach surgery, vomiting is always a concern as it could mean there is an infection in the abdominal organs, which can cause peritonitis. Don't ignore this symptom! You need to see a doctor immediately!
Symptomatic treatment for vomiting includes fasting for 12 to 24 hours, followed by small amounts of soft food. If your pet does not vomit after this, you gradually remove soft food from him and transfer him back to his usual diet after 3 days. To reduce stomach acidity, Pepcid AC 0.5 mg/kg can be administered orally twice daily for 5 days. Metoclopramide and Cerenia are good medications for dogs and cats. You should always consult a veterinarian regarding the drug and prescription regimen! Causes and treatment of regurgitation after surgery
The most common cause of regurgitation is reflux, which is stomach acid backing up into the esophagus while your pet is under anesthesia. Acidic fluid from the stomach can cause a chemical burn of the esophagus and lead to esophagitis in the case of heartburn. This leads to poor motility of the esophagus, so water and food will accumulate in this structure. In most cases, esophagitis goes away on its own, but if it does have to be treated, it may take two to three days.
If esophagitis has a more serious effect on the esophagus, one or more strictures (compression) may develop. Stricture is a narrowing or stenosis of the esophagus that prevents food from passing through the esophagus. Normal regurgitation may occur in an animal once or twice a week! This problem should be brought to the attention of your pet's doctor. Treatment may involve correcting the stricture by administering oxygen (minimally invasive procedures, this is done with an endoscope assistant). If esophageal stricture is a chronic problem, then surgery is necessary.
Symptomatic treatment of regurgitation that causes esophagitis includes feeding soft foods, and administering a drug that has a mucosal coating effect (Sucralfate) and an acid inhibitor (omeprazole or other). Consult your veterinarian if regurgitation continues for more than a few days. How will I know if my dog is in pain after surgery? Signs of pain include:
The dog whines, may bite, the dog looks anxious, has a tragic expression, may be choking, restless and cannot sleep, walks.
If abdominal surgery has been performed, the animal will not want to lie down for the incision, or will sit constantly, despite being very tired.
The worst thing that can happen is pain during the first 2 to 3 days after surgery. What can I do to control my dog's pain? Narcotics that control pain: tramadol, butorphanol. Anti-inflammatory drugs used to control pain: Rimadyl, Previcox, Trocoxil
If orthopedic surgery has been done, cold packing may be used.
A cold compress can be a bag of frozen peas or crushed ice in a special bag. A thin barrier must be placed between the skin and the cold pack. Cooling the surgical site helps to numb the operated area. How do I know if my cat is in pain after surgery? In cats, compared to dogs, pain is more difficult to assess. Because the symptoms may be more subtle, and they usually do not make sounds in pain.
Signs of pain in a cat may include the following:
may bite if you touch the surgical site, growl, hiss. Does not want to eat, hides and does not want to be near the owner (remember that this can also be caused by the fact that the cat was simply upset about leaving the house, going to the veterinary clinic, for her this is a kind of violence) What can I do to reduce pain at home for my cat? Not many painkillers are suitable for cats! In each specific case, you need to consult a doctor! For example, drugs such as ketofen, rimadyl. Paracetamol will kill a cat because they don't have the necessary enzyme in their liver.
Anti-inflammatory drugs can be used, but the dose is much less than for dogs! Is it correct for an animal to lick the incision and stitches after surgery? If your dog licks the stitches, the healing process may be delayed.
Licking can damage the stitches and cause the wound to open. It can become a serious habit that is difficult to stop. May cause infection as there are many bacteria in the mouth.
Dogs will tend to lick the incision site when the owner is not aware of it, such as at night. If the skin looks red or irritated the most common cause is licking the wound.
To stop your pet from licking, you can try the following:
Elizabethan collar around the neck. A cervical collar is the most effective means of combating licking, especially if the animal is left alone at home.
A post-operative blanket may be used to cover stitches or a wound on the chest or front of the abdomen. A bandage or sock can be used to cover a wound on a limb; secure the top of the sock by taping across the body. Not a pleasant spray, deodorant, can also be applied to the bandage surface near the wound, and the unpleasant, pungent odor will prevent the animal from licking the wound.
In some cases, antipsychotic medications may be required.