Dogs are just as susceptible to pain as humans. The only difference is that dogs cannot tell us when they are in pain, which makes it crucial for pet owners to be able to recognize the symptoms of post-surgery pain in their dogs.
The most common signs of after-surgery pain include limping, increased heart rate, panting, and guarding the affected body part. These signs can be easily missed if you do not pay close attention to your dog after surgery.
In this article, we will discuss some of the ways you can manage post-surgery pain in your dog effectively so that they do not suffer from any unnecessary discomfort due to this condition while recovering from an operation.
Pain Medications
Pain medications can play an essential role in managing after-surgery pain in dogs. Commonly prescribed pain medications for dogs include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, and local anesthetics. NSAIDs such as Quellin for dogs can help reduce pain and inflammation without causing sedation, making them an effective option for postoperative pain management.
Quellin is easy to administer and can be chewed effortlessly by your dog. It also has a delicious meaty taste without containing any animal proteins.
If you don’t find Quellin at your local pet store, you can consider online pet pharmacies like PetRx that offer a range of prescription and over-the-counter medications for dogs, including Quellin Soft Chews. PetRx also offers attractive discounts on all purchases.
Remember to follow your veterinarian’s instructions regarding the dosage and frequency of pain medication given to your dog to ensure safe and effective pain management.
Alternative Therapies
Alternative therapies can be used in conjunction with pain medications to help manage after-surgery pain in dogs. These therapies can include acupuncture, massage, and physical therapy.
According to Fetch by WebMD, acupuncture, an ancient Chinese practice, is frequently used as a complementary treatment to medication. Research has shown that it can alleviate pain and inflammation while improving a pet’s quality of life. In a session, a veterinary acupuncturist carefully inserts thin needles into your pet’s body to relieve pain.
Massage can help reduce muscle tension and promote relaxation, while physical therapy can help improve the range of motion and strengthen muscles.
It is important to work with a trained professional when considering alternative therapies for your dog, as improper techniques or dosages can be harmful. Discussing these options with your veterinarian can help you determine which alternative therapies may be beneficial for your dog’s specific condition.
Rest and Recovery
Rest and recovery are essential after surgery. Your veterinarian should provide you with guidelines for how much activity, exercise, and playtime your dog can have once he or she is home from the hospital. These restrictions may vary depending on what procedure was performed and how long ago it was performed.
Restrict physical activity for at least 24 hours following surgery, especially if your dog had anesthesia during the procedure (which means his or her body is still recovering). If your dog has a bandage on an area where they received stitches, be sure not to allow him or her to jump up onto furniture or climb stairs until all of those sutures have been removed by your veterinarian.
Additionally, keep in mind that some dogs will experience swelling around their incisions after having an operation. Therefore limiting movement around these areas will help prevent additional pain and injury while healing takes place (this includes avoiding stairs).
Nutrition
The first step to managing your dog’s post-surgical pain is ensuring he or she is getting adequate nutrition. Dogs need to eat at least once a day, but this should not be a problem for most owners who have already fed their pets twice daily before the surgery. If you have any concerns about your pet’s appetite, however, consult with your veterinarian for advice on how much food is appropriate for them.
Also important after surgery is avoiding foods that cause gas and bloating, commonly known as flatulence, as they can make the recovery process more uncomfortable than it needs to be. The same goes for hard-to-digest foods such as rawhide chews.
Finally, keep an eye on how much weight your dog loses over time. Weight loss in dogs can indicate serious health problems, including infection or liver failure.
Monitoring
Monitoring is important for several reasons. First, it helps you determine whether your dog is recovering properly. Monitoring can include blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and temperature, as well as blood sugar levels.
Forever Vets recommend that you should also monitor the surgical site for any unusual changes. While surgical sites require time to heal, signs of abnormal developments such as swelling or oozing may indicate that the wound is not healing correctly. This could be due to various reasons, like irritation by a dog’s scratching or biting the site or other issues that may not be evident to the pet owner.
Conclusion
According to Mamaroneck Veterinary Hospital, in dogs, elective surgeries that are frequently performed include spaying, neutering, removal of benign skin growths, and dental extractions.
On the other hand, urgent care surgeries for dogs include addressing skin lacerations or abscesses, dealing with intestinal obstruction caused by foreign objects, repairing torn cruciate or ACL ruptures, and treating bladder stones or urethral blockages.
We hope that this article has given you some ideas on how to manage after-surgery pain in dogs. Remember not to panic and always seek medical advice if your dog seems unwell after surgery.
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