Will my pet have to wear a cone?
Yes, your companion will have to wear an e-collar for 10-14 days (about 2 weeks) post-operatively to prevent them from licking the incision. We will send you home with an e-collar that is included in the cost of your surgery. We do have other options available including a lick sleeve that covers the incision and protects it from getting wet, and Bite-Free collars for an additional cost. Donut cones are acceptable, but your pet needs to be monitored while wearing them because we can’t guarantee they prevent licking.
How long will I need to stay home with my pet?
This depends on your comfort level. Some pets will prefer you to be home, but most will be doing quite well by the following morning and are pretty much back to normal (except for limping) within 48 hours (about 2 days) of surgery. Dogs are remarkably resilient and may surprise you just how agile they are soon after surgery.
How should I prepare my home for my pet’s recovery?
Your four-legged friend will likely need to be in a small space or area within the home (about a 3 ft x 3 ft space for a chihuahua and a 5 ft x 5 ft space for a German shepherd) that has no free access to stairs. How long this is required will depend on the surgical procedure performed. A large kennel they can freely move about is good or we have a lot of pet parents that use baby gates to create a limited, but comfortable space.
How do I keep my pet quiet if he or she wants to be active?
Keeping your companion quiet post-operatively can be challenging because they start to feel better and want to play. Continuing to limit their activity is important for their recovery. Interactive toys such as a Kong or lick mat with frozen goodies can be helpful. If you feel your pet is too active, we have medication options like sedatives that will help keep them calm and comfortable.
If my pet is using his/her leg normally, they must be healed, right?
No that is not accurate. Most orthopedic procedures correct an abnormality which allows your companion to feel normal by 2 weeks, but bone and joints will not heal for approximately 8 weeks (about 2 months) or more. Healing is not confirmed until x-rays are taken after 8 weeks.
My pet’s leg has some swelling after surgery, is that normal?
Yes, swelling in the leg is normal. There will be some swelling post-operatively that naturally occurs due to the healing process. The swelling can start up high on the leg and because of gravity drop down towards the hock (ankle area). This is known as “dependent edema” and is not painful or problematic. The ankle area can get swollen, and it may get worse before it gets better. Placing a warm pack around the swelling on the ankle area can help dissipate the buildup of fluid. Do not put anything warm near the incision site. If you are concerned and would like the doctor to look at it, we would be happy to set you up for an appointment.
Will I need to plan for post-surgical appointments?
Yes, most cases require post-surgical rechecks and x-rays. You can schedule these rechecks and x-rays with your regular veterinarian if that is most convenient for you, especially for our pet parents that have a long drive. Some cases will require suture or staple removal ten to fourteen days after surgery. There is no cost at Spry Companions for a post-operative recheck or suture/staple removal, but x-rays are not included in the cost of surgery.
Will my pet have trouble walking on slick floors?
At first your pet might have difficulty due to the nerve block or epidural. We will be sending you home with a sling that will be most useful during the first few days. This will help steady your companion on any slick surfaces you may have at home. Restricting your pet’s run of the whole house and using rug runners on slick floors may help.
Can my pet be left along with other animals?
It is best to separate your healing companion from other pets when unsupervised. Allowing them to be together may encourage romping around or playful behavior that is not helpful to your pet’s recovery.
Can my pet go up and down stairs following surgery?
We recommend restricting your pet from the stairs without help for the first few days post-operatively. After that your companion can use the stairs slowly as long as they are on a leash and no more than once or twice a day. For example, they can go up the stairs at bedtime and come down the stairs in the morning, but going up and down repeatedly or on their own should be avoided. If they have a few stairs going outside to the bathroom that is ok as long as they are on a leash.
Will I need to keep my pet indoors during the healing phase?
If your companion is let outside, they should always be on a leash during the healing period which is approximately two to three months. No doggie doors are allowed during the healing phase. In most cases, we recommend and encourage short daily leashed walks after the first week and increasing in time after.
When can my pet have a bath or get groomed?
It is recommended to not have anything wet near the incision for approximately 3 weeks post-operatively. The skin needs time to heal so there are no concerns for potential infection. If cleaning is needed, dry doggie shampoo or baby wipes can be used post-operatively to help keep your baby fresh and clean.