Are you considering post-surgical pet care to help your furry friends heal? We can help. The team at Companion Animal Rehab and Athletics (CARA) offers a holistic approach to your pet’s recovery. Whether it’s a routine spay or neutral or a complicated operation, your pet deserves the best post-surgical care possible. Learn more about how to ease your pet through the process for a smooth and stress-free experience.
What Is Post-Surgical Pet Care?
Post-surgical pet care helps keep your pet comfortable and safe while recovering at home. There is no single, go-to approach for post-surgical pet care; it depends on the procedure and the unique needs of your pet. CARA offers customized treatment plans and care to ensure your pet is healing and moving towards a full recovery.
Create a Comfortable Recovery Space for Your Pet
Your pet needs a cozy, comfortable, and safe space to recover. The area should be free from drafty air and loud noises and away from other pets. Make sure the space is easily accessible to your pet and filled with some of their favorite things, such as blankets or toys they can safely play with.
Monitor Your Pet’s Incision
Monitoring your pet’s surgical site is crucial. Look for signs of infection, which might include redness, swelling, blotchy areas, or discharge. Keep the incision clean and dry, per your veterinarian’s instructions. You may need an e-collar or recovery suit to keep your pet from licking or chewing their wound. Talk to the team at CARA about how to keep your pet’s incision safe and avoid damaging it.
Encourage Gentle Activity and Play
Rest is essential, but so is gentle activity. Your pet needs some movement to prevent stiffness and soreness while promoting circulation for further healing. Ask your vet about the appropriate activities for post-surgical pet care. A short walk or light play time can help maintain muscle tone and prevent boredom and depression in your pets.
Offer Your Pet a Balanced Diet
Your pet may need an enhanced diet to help foster their recovery and give their energy a boost. Post-surgery, your pet may need a reduced appetite. Provide small, frequent meals of easily digestible food. Offer ongoing fresh water and stick to any nutritional instructions provided by CARA.
Engage in Therapeutic Exercises
Many pets, especially those who are recovering from orthopedic or neurosurgery, need therapeutic exercises designed to regain strength and flexibility. The team at Companion Animal Rehab and Athletics provides personalized rehabilitation plans that cater to your pet’s specific needs. We provide a one-on-one approach to ensure that your pet receives the best possible care. Our plans are designed to:
- Increased Strength and Flexibility: Therapeutic exercises help build muscle strength and enhance your pet’s joint flexibility to foster overall mobility.
- Improved Mental Stimulation: Your pet needs mental stimulation and playtime to retain their well-being and cognitive health.
- Accelerated Recovery: Physical rehabilitation helps your pet’s heal for a faster return to normal, everyday activities and normal functionality.
- Gait Retraining and Body Awareness: Rehabilitation exercises improve your pet’s gait and body awareness to address any irregularities and help your pet’s body realign and regain balance and coordination.
Administer Appropriate Medications
Your pet needs pain management in order to rest and fully heal. Carefully administer any prescribed medications, as directed by your vet. Stay on schedule and flag any issues or side effects as soon as possible. You should also never give your pet old medication or anything that wasn’t specifically prescribed for their unique needs.
Offer Emotional Support and Acupuncture
Your pet’s emotional well-being is just as important as their physical health. Offer extra time to cuddle and play to help them reduce their stress and get back to their normal routine as quickly as possible. The team at CARA may recommend acupuncture as part of their post-surgical pet care plan. The ancient practices use hollow needles in strategic places across your pet’s body to alleviate any pain or inflammation and promote well-being. The veterinarians at CARA use different techniques, such as dry needle, aqua-puncture, or electro-acupuncture, depending on your pet’s needs.
Try Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy may be a useful tool in your pet’s recovery plan. The treatment uses the unique properties of water to help your pet regain mobility and alleviate pain. The buoyant nature of water helps support aching joints and reduces the impact of gravity and stress to engage in physical activity without discomfort. We may also recommend hydrotherapy for gait retraining for pets dealing with neurologic or orthopedic conditions.
Consider Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy (VSMT)
If your pet is experiencing joint or nervous system issues, VSMT can help provide relief. The treatment involves precise adjustments to specific joints to stimulate your pet’s nervous system. The results can enhance gait, reduce discomfort, and contribute to a healthy and comfortable lifestyle.
Schedule Therapeutic Laser Treatment
Is your pet suffering from poor circulation? Therapeutic laser treatment, also known as photobiomodulation, uses a type of focused light to increase cellular metabolic activity. The results directly improve circulation and help speed up tissue repair and reduce overall discomfort.
Enhance Your Pet’s Life with Companion Animal Rehab and Athletics
Are you looking for an innovative approach to caring for your pet post-surgery? Companion Animal Rehab and Athletics (CARA) is dedicated to providing integrative medicine, sports medicine, and rehabilitation therapy for your beloved pets. We provide a safe, comfortable, and nurturing environment for both pets and their owners, with the highest quality care and customized treatment. Contact us today or schedule an appointment to take the next step in your pet’s health and wellness journey for a longer-lasting life.
