Although the prospect of having surgery performed on your beloved pet may be upsetting, losing your pet or having him live in pain is much worse. Among the more common pet surgeries performed are:
Caring for a sick pet is stressful. Your veterinarian should provide you with guidelines for the safety and care of your pet.
When your pet is recovering keep the following helpful hints in mind:
Always watch your pet for signs of continued illness or a negative change in his condition. If your pet doesn''t seem to be recovering, you should consult the veterinarian to determine whether or not he needs a different treatment plan.
The following chart is an overview of common surgical procedures and what to expect after you bring your pet home from the hospital.
tooth extraction
a few days
Feed soft food; watch for signs of eating problems.
declawing
about 10 days
Don''t let your cat outside; do not use clay litter.
typical laceration
10 to 14 days
Don''t let your pet scratch or bite at stitches; watch for any inflammation, pus, or other complications.
castration (cat)
2 weeks
Little or no extra care is needed. Simply observe your cat for any signs of trouble.
castration (dog)
No heavy exercise; prevent clawing, scratching or chewing at stitches.
spaying
Prevent clawing or chewing at stitches and discourage heavy exercise.
typical abscess
6 to 8 weeks
Your pet may have a drainage tube that requires daily flushing; watch for inflammation.
orthopedics
Check bandages often; don''t let your pet walk on slippery surfaces.