How do I keep my dog quiet after surgery? Tips to help your dog recover post surgery

Contents:

• Always follow your vet’s instructions
• Tips for keeping your dog quiet after surgery
• Signs of surgical site complications to watch for
• FAQs about dogs recovering from surgery

Follow your vet’s post-operative care instructions

When your dog has surgery, your veterinarian will give you some aftercare instructions. These instructions are tailored specifically to the surgery your dog had. They will tell you what medications your dog needs, including instructions on how to give them and how long for, and provide guidance when it comes to diet, exercise, and surgical site care.

Follow these instructions as closely as possible.

Do not remove their cone too early

If your dog’s surgery incision is in a place they could lick at, your vet will likely recommend they wear an E-collar. This head cone might be an inconvenience for you and the dog, but it plays a pivotal role in protecting the surgical site. Without it, your dog may lick their incision which could result in suture breakdown, infection and poor wound healing. Sometimes your dog will need a second anaesthetic to re-suture the surgery site. Your dog needs to wear their cone for the duration your vet recommends.

Many dogs will quickly adjust to life with the collar on. If your dog is really struggling with the traditional plastic cones, they might find a soft or inflatable E-collar more manageable. However, you will need to pay close attention to ensure that your dog can’t reach the surgery site with this on.

If they are not coping well with the e-collar contact your vet to ask if an alternative option would be appropriate for them. Depending on where they had surgery there may also be other options, such as a light weight, post-surgery body suit.

If you are going to remove the cone for a short while, make sure you are there to supervise them the entire time the cone is off. Put the cone back on when they are out of sight.

Keep your dog calm and comfortable

Keeping your dog quiet after surgery can be an important part of the healing process after most surgeries. Depending on the surgery and incision site, the wound is at risk of breakdown if your dog is overly active before the muscles and skin have a chance to heal.

It can be challenging to keep your dog quiet after surgery if they’re used to being active, but not impossible. Here are some things you can try to keep them as calm as possible.

Use a crate or play pen to keep them confined

To limit accidental strenuous activity like jumping on furniture, rough play, or climbing stairs, keep your pet confined in a small room, pen, or a crate. The smaller space means they don’t have room to get too excited or active.

Make sure you have desensitised your dog to these smaller spaces before their surgery. If your dog isn’t used to being confined, it can be stressful for them. Use positive reinforcement to get them comfortable in the smaller pace.

Only let them out for short, leashed toilet walks

If your vet has instructed you to keep your dog on a strict rest protocol during their recovery, it is a good idea to keep them leashed whenever they leave their rest area. Even if they’re just going out to toilet. This helps you keep control and reduces the chance of them doing laps from excitement before they’re fully healed.

Use calming pheromones and products

Products like Adaptil contain synthetic version of the Canine Appeasing Pheromone. This pheromone is secreted by female dogs to calm their puppies and can have a relaxing effect on adult dogs. The diffuser plug-in or collar is most useful for recovery, as the smell is constantly emitting for them.

There are also treats and supplements with ingredients that help reduce stress and anxiety you can try, such as Zylkene.

Provide enrichment to keep them entertained

While your dog may not be allowed to physically exercise, you can prevent boredom by keeping their brain active. If your dog isn’t content calmly resting near you, consider:

• Playing some dog TV videos for visual stimulus
• Providing them with toys stuffed with peanut butter, plain yogurt, or wet food
• Feeding them their dinner in a puzzle feeder or snuffle mat
• Giving them long lasting treats if it’s approved by your vet. Hard foods may not be appropriate after some surgeries.

Consult your vet if you need additional help

If you are struggling to keep your dog calm after surgery, ask your veterinarian for help.

 

Check your dog’s surgery site every day

Make a habit of looking at your dog’s surgery site every day so you can detect any problems early. Signs to look out for include:

• Skin that is hot to touch
• Bleeding or discharge from the wound
• Excessive redness, swelling, or lumpiness around the surgery site

If your dog has a bandage over the surgery site, you won’t be able to look at their incision directly. You shouldn’t remove the bandage unless your vet has instructed you to. Instead, inspect the bandage itself. Check that:

• The bandage is dry
• It hasn’t slipped or unravelled
• There is no discharge that has soaked through the layers
• There is no bad odour
• There is no swelling around the bandage
• Your dog is comfortable – if they cry when they go to move the bandage may be causing some skin irritation from the adhesive or be too tight, for example

Other, more general symptoms that may indicate a problem include lethargy, particularly if it has been over 24 hours since their surgery, inappetence and vomiting.

If you’re concerned about your dog’s surgery site, contact your veterinarian.

 

By following your veterinarian’s post-operative care instructions and keeping your dog quiet after surgery, you’re giving them the best chance for a smooth recovery.

Frequently asked questions about helping dogs recover from surgery

How many days does it take for a dog to recover from surgery?

The duration of the recovery period can vary depending on the procedure and other factors. Typically, the surgical incision site will be healed after 10-14 days, provided there are no complications. However, some surgeries (e.g. Orthopaedic surgeries) may have a longer recovery period before your dog is allowed to return to normal levels of activity.

Should I stay home with my dog after surgery?

Ideally, you would stay home with your dog for at least the few days after their surgery. If that is not possible, keep your dog confined and ensure their e-collar stays on so they can’t lick their wounds. It might be a good idea to set up a pet camera so you can keep an eye on them if you are unable to be there physically.

Can I take the cone off after 7 days?

Do NOT take the cone off until the vet says you can. If your dog licks their wound before it has healed, there is a risk of surgical site breakdown, infection, the need for a second surgery and a longer, more difficult recovery.

Do dogs sleep a lot after surgery?

Your dog may sleep a lot or seem drowsy in the 24 hours immediately after surgery as the sedation and anaesthesia medications wear off. If your pet is still drowsy or lethargic 24 hours after the surgery, contact your veterinarian.

 

Can my dog walk around the house after surgery?

For most surgeries, it’s best not to give your dog free access to the house during the recovery period.

If your dog is on strict cage rest, you need to keep them restrained. They should not be allowed to roam around the house. If you need to take them out of their crate or pen, only let them walk around on a lead so you have control.

For other surgeries that do not require such strict rest protocols, it is still preferable to keep your pet confined for their recovery. You don’t want them jumping, running and putting strain on their surgery site before it is fully healed.