Whenever your dog undergoes surgery, you’re likely to feel nervous. Whether it’s a typical spay/neuter surgery, a more complex one for hip dysplasia, or a TPLO, it’s understandable that you’re anxious and worried about what happens next.
Instead of concentrating on the anxiety, it’s better to focus on prepping your dog for its operation. That way, you can promote faster, healthier healing while ensuring that your dog feels comfortable when they’re back home. Today, we’ll talk about how you can do just that.
Anxious about a dog incision infection post-operation? Don’t worry. We’ll also touch base on how to treat infected incisions on dogs and what to do as soon as you notice it.
Do’s and Don’ts Leading Up to Surgery Day
DON’T: Feed your dog the night before surgery
One of the most important things to do before surgery is to stop giving your dog food. Don’t feed your dog the night before and the morning of surgery.
Although anesthesia is generally very safe for dogs, some dogs feel nauseous from it and may vomit during surgery, which is a choking hazard. Fasting in the hours leading up to the operation prevents this from happening.
DO: Go for a short walk on surgery day
On the morning of the operation, go on a short, leisurely stroll with your dog outdoors. This gives them an opportunity to release pent-up energy and relieve themselves properly before surgery.
DON’T: Allow your dog to run and play rough
Strenuous activities like jumping up and playing fetch can make your dog’s joints and muscles sore. This will make surgery even more uncomfortable for them. So, hold off on playing rough with them until after they’re completely healed from surgery.
DO: Make sure your dog’s vaccinations are updated
Before even agreeing to a surgical procedure, ensure that your dog is up to date with their vaccinations, especially for rabies, parvo, and distemper. All the latest vaccines must be administered at least a week before the operation.
DON’T: Give your dog medications
It’s important that your dog has an empty stomach before surgery, so you might have to skip some of their medications. Double-check with your veterinarian which meds you can (and should) skip the night before or morning of the operation.
DO: Bathe your dog before surgery
You won’t be able to bathe your dog for a few weeks after their surgery because they need time for the incision to heal. So, treat them with a fresh bath the night before the surgery.
DO: Wash your dog’s bed
Ensuring their beddings are clean and tidy can help reduce the risk of infection in the incision site. Do this before your dog lays in their bed after surgery.
Surgery Aftercare for Dogs
Of course, post-operative care is just as important as pre-surgery prep. Make sure to write down all your veterinarian’s instructions for aftercare, from how often to change your dog’s bandage to how to drain the wound, if needed.
After your dog undergoes surgery, the most pertinent thing to do is give them as much time to rest as they need. Yes, physical rehabilitation is very important too, but you shouldn’t force your dog to play or walk around too much in the first two weeks post-surgery.
Unnecessary movements can cause the incision’s sutures to get torn apart, leading to some bleeding and discomfort. So, restrict your dog’s activity for a week or two.
Another thing you should be cautious about is getting the incision wet. Keep the surgical site dry at all times. This promotes faster and healthier healing. That means no water or alcohol should touch your dog’s surgical wound until it’s completely healed. No baths should be given during this time either.
Dealing with a Dog Incision Infection
Even though a dog incision infection sounds scary, it’s not uncommon for dogs to develop one after surgery.
There are many risk factors for infection, some of which are out of your control. The most you can do is watch out for the signs of infection so that you can take action right away.
How do I know if my dog’s incision is infected?
Any post-operative site on dogs will have mild inflammation in the days after surgery. You can expect the skin around the incision to have a light pink hue as the wound heals. Check here to see how your dog’s healing should progress post-surgery.
If you’re worried about your dog’s healing process, you might wonder—what does an infected incision look like on a dog? Here are the top signs of an infected wound in dogs:
- Excessive swelling and inflammation for days
- Fluid drainage from the wound that is green or yellow in color
- An unpleasant odor coming from the incision
- Continuous seepage of blood that gets darker each time
You’re probably thinking, “I don’t know what to do if my dog’s incision is infected!” If you notice any of the signs above, don’t panic or try to treat the infected wound on your own.
Your biggest role when this happens is bringing your dog to the veterinarian immediately. That way, they can examine the surgical site and give your dog the proper treatment before the infection worsens.
Prepping Your Dog for Surgery Makes It Easier on Them
Surgeries can be difficult for dogs. It’s important that you step up and prep them correctly to make it easier on them. That way, they’ll be in excellent condition after the surgery. Be sure to read up more on post-op care and recovery for dogs here.
