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What to Expect After Orthopedic Surgery for Your Pet

What to Expect after Orthopedic Surgery for Your Pet

It’s important that you properly care for your animal after orthopedic pet surgery. Our veterinarian in Logan at Bridgerland-Cache Animal Hospital will provide proper instructions on how to care for your pet after a surgical procedure.

Guidelines for Home Care

Limited activity is recommended for your pet immediately after surgery. Don’t take your pet for a walk or allow him to go up or down stairs. Don’t allow him to play or run with other pets or family members. Your pet will also need a quiet place to rest. Use rugs to help your pet get up if you have slippery floors. During the time after surgery, your pet’s food amount will need to be reduced since many pets gain weight due to the limited movement. Be sure to give your pet all of his medications according to the predetermined schedule.

You will likely be sent home with antibiotics and pain medications. Follow the rehabilitation guidelines as recommended. Many orthopedic surgeries now use compression bandages to cover the incision. These bandages stay on but could move around. Don’t allow the bandages to get wet. Your pet may not have a bowel movement for several days after surgery but take him outside on a leash to see if he needs to relieve himself.

When Should You Return to the Hospital?

You will be given instructions to return to the hospital at different times to have the incision area inspected to make sure the healing process is on schedule. The first visit may happen three to four days after surgery to have the bandages removed. The second visit is two weeks after to have any staples removed. About eight weeks after surgery, your pet needs to return to check the bone healing process if a bone was injured. By sixteen weeks, most pets can be fully weight-bearing and most exercise restrictions are lifted.

Be Aware of Surgical and Aftercare Complications

With any surgical procedure, complications can happen so it’s important to be aware of them. This is why many pets are given antibiotics to minimize the risk of any site infections. If your pet is receiving medications such as steroids or chemotherapy then the bone may not heal correctly. You should inform the surgeon of any such issues before surgery to prevent any complications. Monitor the incision site for any signs of infection.

Visit Our Veterinarian in Logan

If you have any questions about orthopedic pet surgery, be sure to call our vet at Bridgerland-Cache Animal Hospital at (435) 752-2151. We understand that surgery can be a scary time for pet owners, and that’s why we’re here to answer any questions or concerns that you may have.

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