One of the most stressful situations for our pet and, therefore, for its owners, is taking our pet or dog to the vet. Especially when it comes to an intervention, no matter how routine.
As in any surgical intervention, it is important to know the details of the operation in depth, follow the recommendations of veterinary specialists and facilitate, as much as possible, the recovery and stress management of our pet.
So that the return home after sterilization is stress-free and as bearable as possible, we have left you some guidelines to follow .
How to reduce the stress of our pet when taking it to the vet?
Keeping a cat or dog calm on the way to a specialist visit is not always an easy task. In fact, there are several factors on which your stress level will depend; such as, for example, trust with the veterinarian, the journey with his carrier or visual and olfactory contact with other animals. A mission that can be especially complicated with felines, who will feel vulnerable, out of their territory and inevitably stressed and upset. A situation that can be aggravated if they see or hear dogs or other animals in their vicinity.
That is why it is important to take certain measures and thus create an environment of tranquility for both. We must create a safe atmosphere for our pet. To start, we will accommodate your carrier with its blankets and toys. In addition, we will prevent light from entering through the grids and unexpected movements that can stress it. To avoid discomfort, it is best to cover the cage with a blanket or towel; In the case of dogs, we will get them used to going to the clinic in a carrier, through positive reinforcement and the progressive elimination of fear.
After the intervention, what should we know?
Evolution and innovation in surgery has turned sterilization into a quick recovery surgical intervention for our pets . Full recovery usually takes 7-10 days. We must think that the operation tends to be in the morning and therefore in the afternoon we will already have our dog or cat back home with us.
Each pet and the casuistry of its intervention will be different and unique, so the guidelines to follow that the surgeon will give you will be the most appropriate and optimal for your dog or cat.
In any case, what should we take into account to take care of them correctly?
We must think that, as a consequence of the anesthesia, we will see that our animal is a bit dazed and tired. It has been a confusing day for our pet, so we must help him with the obstacles that he may encounter on the way home (going down the stairs, getting out of the car…). The best thing will be to avoid sudden or unnecessary movements and thus avoid tears in the incision.
On the other hand, it is vital that, when you return home, you have a place where you feel comfortable, calm and warm , since anesthesia is cold.
Keep him covered with a blanket and make sure he always has water available when he needs it. Many animals are not thirsty after the operation, so if they want to drink, they will drink. Make sure you give him the proper quiet space for a healthy and calm recovery.
As far as food is concerned, many pets do not eat during the same day of the operation, even so, after a few hours of their arrival home, offer food. If he doesn’t eat, don’t worry, many freshly sterilized animals eat the next day, when they are more awake and out of the effects of anesthesia. From the next day, it is important to start cleaning the wound with gauze soaked in iodine, at least once a day. The movements for cleaning and disinfection must be smooth and always from the inside out to avoid possible infections. Likewise, one of the most important measures to monitor is to ensure that our pet does not lick the wound or scratch it , since it could pull out the stitches and reopen it. If the vet decides to put an Elizabethan collar or bell, do not remove it, for the animal’s own good. Surely, the specialist will tell you all the medication to take and how often you should administer it. As a general rule, it will be composed of analgesics and antibiotics. In short, the post-operative period consists of your pet keeping as much rest as possible. You can walk briefly and calmly while avoiding all kinds of sudden movements, such as running or jumping.
How to recognize the warning signs?
It is common that after sterilization, your pet is a bit listless and without much desire to move and even without hunger, especially during the first two days. Although it is true that recovery from sterilization is quick and, as the days go by, your animal’s behavior will improve remarkably, no operation is exempt from possible complications. Therefore, if you see that your dog or cat does not move, is listless for three or more days, does not show the usual appetite, tries to touch the points excessively, vomits or is very sore, you should take your pet with your veterinarian. How to recognize if our pet is in pain? As in human beings, pain can be divided into scales of different intensity, and in the same way, identifying it with the naked eye is sometimes complicated. Fortunately, there are visual and behavioral cues that can help us detect what type of pain they are experiencing and how intense it is. If our dog or cat has trouble sleeping, is more distracted than usual and reacts to the touch of the wound with a slight sob, or with a strange movement, it is a sign of mild pain.
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