June | 2017 | PAWS – The Modern Spay Neuter Clinic

Caring For Your Pet After Their Spaying Or Neutering Procedure

The importance of spaying or neutering your pet cannot be understated, as it benefits both your animal and the other animals in your community. Puppies and kittens can be spayed or neutered when they are two-months-old, and once they undergo this procedure, it is important that you care for them properly. Once you bring your animal home from their procedure, be sure to follow these important post-care tips.

• Keep your pet inside. While your pet is recovering from surgery, try to keep them in the house as often as possible. This makes it easier for you to keep an eye on them and prevents them from running around too much. Excessive activity could harm the incision site.

• Make sure your pet is wearing their e-collar if they are licking the incision. device will keep them from licking their incision, so be sure that they are wearing it. If your pet is appears to not be getting used to their e-collar, consider an inflatable version.

• Watch them closely for the first few days. Right after surgery, your pet may be dizzy or off-balance while the anesthesia wears off. Walk behind them when they go up the stairs and try to keep them off the furniture. Practicing basic pet safety will keep them from stumbling and falling while they regain their normal function.

• Check your pet’s incision. Be sure to check your pet’s incision site twice per day to ensure that it is healing well. Spay and neuter incisions, much like any surgical site, can be at risk for infection. If you notice any redness, swelling, or puss, call your vet right away.

• Call the vet if you suspect a problem. Once you leave the spay and neuter clinic, be sure to keep your vet in the loop. If you have any concerns about your pet’s healing or behavior, do not hesitate to call. We are here to answer any of your questions or recommend a follow-up appointment.

You understand importance of spaying or neutering your pet, but it is important to also know they importance of their healing. By following pet healthcare best practices, you can help your pet heal as quickly as possible. They will be running around the backyard again in no time at all.

Caring for your pet after they have been spayed or neutered is important. Read about our health care tips on our blog.

Your Dogs’s Oral Hygiene Affects Their Overall Health
Just as we take care of our teeth regularly, we should be doing the same for our animals. Dogs experience plaque buildup and tooth decay just as humans do, so it is important to prevent dental disease and infection. Dental problems in canines can cause a host of other health problems, affecting their entire body as well as their mouth. By implementing basic dental care for pets, you can prevent the following issues.

• Organ Damage: A dog’s mouth is the ideal environment for bacteria to grow, especially when left untreated. As these organisms grow, however, an infection can develop and spread to the rest of the body. If this infection reaches vital organs such as the heart and liver, your dog could experience more complicated health problems. Keeping their mouth clean will help you avoid pouring money into pet healthcare in the future.

• Oral Pain: If you notice that your dog is pawing their mouth or licking their gums, they might be in serious pain from dental problems. Severe swelling and decay can cause extreme discomfort for your pooch, and they will likely show visible signs. When a dog starts exhibiting these types of behaviors, brushing at home may not be enough. Be sure to take them to a vet for dog dental care and cleaning.

• Difficulty Eating: When their mouth is in pain, your dog have difficulty eating or may not be eating at all. You may notice them struggling to chew their food. If you dog drops weight suddenly, this is another sign of dental problems. Losing weight suddenly could be detrimental to their health, so be sure to take them to a dog vet clinic as soon as possible. Your vet may recommend an alternative dog food brand to use until you repair your pet’s teeth.

About 65% of pet owners do not brush their dogs’ teeth, so be sure to start doing so. At-home brushing and dental care for pets, however, may not be effective if your dog has severe dental issues. In many cases, veterinary care is the only way to diagnose and reverse the problem. During your pet’s next checkup, be sure to ask the vet to thoroughly inspect your dog’s teeth. Also be sure to ask about prevention best practices, as adopting the best at-home care will keep your dog’s bite strong and healthy for years to come.