After surgery, your pet dog will need time to recover. It is a special time to look after your pet dogs. The longer it takes for your dog to heal, the more there is a risk for infection.
The veterinarian gives post-op care directions that must be thoroughly followed. It includes providing special attention to what your dog eats. Knowing how to look after your pet will get it back to its feet in no time.
What to Expect After Surgery
Regardless of what type of pet surgery, dogs will be sedated. Anesthesia may wear off hours after, or sometimes it may take a couple of days. Recovery time varies from dog to dog. Nevertheless, this may be a time of confusion for the dog. Add to it the pain and discomfort from the wounds. Dogs might be shaky, drowsy, sore, and lacking appetite.
Feeding After Surgery
A dog’s stomach may be a little queasy after an operation. Offering a small healthy meal and fresh water is better when it is time to eat. A bland home-cooked meal is perfect. However, don’t fret if the dog does not eat. It usually takes 24 hours for a pet to regain its appetite.
If appetite does not come back after 48 hours, or if there is vomiting or diarrhea, you should contact the emergency veterinarian immediately. It can be a sign of infection or pain. You may learn more about emergency situations from vet websites.
Recovery Diet Plan Recommendations
The dog can then be provided with an ideal nutrition-packed recovery diet. Because the dog tends to eat less, protein is needed to protect muscle mass. Foods high in energy promote healing and assist metabolism. Fats are likewise needed as recuperating dogs will be insulin resistant, and fats repair and rebuild tissues.
Food must be attractive and tasty to motivate the dog to eat. Such post-op foods, recommended by professionals from Staten Island vet hospitals, can be the following:
- Boiled ground turkey and shredded chicken, bones removed
- Boiled eggs
- Rice
After the critical period, you can start including more on their menu. Food that supports health and promotes healing are:
- Small fish like sardines, anchovies, and other seafood are abundant in Omega-3.
- Bone broth enhances food digestion, cleanses the liver, eases pain, and so on.
- Kelp is rich in iodine, selenium, zinc, and magnesium and can reinforce immunity, digestion, and thyroid function.
- Yogurt for probiotics for those still taking antibiotics. It likewise detoxes and heals the bowel and chelates heavy metals.
- Organ meats contain minerals and multivitamins and can likewise support blood building.
Practical Tips to Get Your Dog Eating
Some dogs might find it challenging to eat in discomfort. Or, maybe your dog is ready for food but is acting like a big baby. You can motivate your pet to eat with these tricks if that is the case.
Heat the Food
A little warm water to soften kibbles would enable a pet dog without energy to eat. Home-cooked meals smell quite good and are enticing when served warm.
Give Meat
If your pet dog snobs kibble, it’s time to offer some boiled meat or eggs. The smell of protein can do marvels for a carnivore’s appetite.
Baby Food
Maybe the starving dog is still lacking energy or still feels nauseous. You can give it store-bought baby food or blend your mix with carbs, meat, and veggies. No chewing is needed.
Hand-Feeding
Get down on the floor and speak gently, and hand-feed your pet. A little tender loving care will be beneficial, especially if the dog needs to use the cone of shame.
