Pet ownership comes with a lot of responsibility. A good diet and exercise will help keep your pet healthy. Good preventative care is also an important aspect of pet care. While most parts of pet ownership are easy and fun, emergencies do arise from time to time. This is when it is important to be prepared. There are a few occasions when your pet may need surgery.
Routine Surgery
New pets need to be sterilized to keep from reproducing unwanted animals and overpopulating city shelters. Surgery to accomplish this task is called spay and neuter. This pet surgery is routine and will take minimal recovery time. After about a week at home, your pet should be able to resume normal activity. This surgery can be a little more invasive on females due to the internal placement of reproductive organs. Therefore, recovery times should be adjusted as needed. Your veterinarian will advise you of the most optimal time in your pet’s development to perform this surgery.
Dental Care
Dental care can be a tricky situation when it comes to animals, since they often respond to fear and threats by biting. This often has to be treated as a surgical procedure. The pet will be sedated and often put under anesthesia to perform invasive and routine dental procedures. The aftercare for dental procedures will most likely call for soft foods and caution when handling your pet. Biting can occur when a pet is in pain or uncomfortable.
Emergency Surgeries
Pets can be unpredictable at times. Large pets especially can be clumsy inside the house. Injuries may occur that result in an emergency pet surgery plan. Dogs and cats alike often eat items that are not meant to be eaten, leaving surgery as the only option to clear the intestinal tract. While this can be scary, it happens more than you think. Odds are, your vet has had adequate experience in these types of surgeries. Even the most responsible pet owners have showed up at the emergency clinic on a weekend with a pet that inadvertently broke a lamp or window, resulting in the need for some type of surgical repair. Pets run, jump, and play, and sometimes hurt themselves just like kids. Always stay calm, transport your pet carefully, and ask plenty of questions to understand all of your options.
Pets can be scared when arriving for surgery. Scheduled pet surgeries may require a sedative given at home to calm the pet prior to arriving at the office. Otherwise, a sedative will be injected and the pet will be calm before anesthesia is given. You can help your pet to heal after any procedure by providing a soft, warm place to rest and following all of your doctor’s instructions for after care. Surgical procedures are usually tolerated well and your pet will be ready to play with you again in no time.
