After spaying or neutering, the incision site needs at least 2 weeks to heal. So, dogs and cats are made to wear an E-collar, also known as the cone of shame, to restrict their movement. The dog cone can come off after 7–14 days, depending on the recovery.
In this article, we will discuss how to take care of pets after neutering and some tips to speed up the healing process. Let’s begin!
How Long Does A Dog Have To Wear A Cone After Neuter?
Sometimes, the doctors don’t put the cone on after discharging a dog because it might make them carsick on the way home. So, they will give you the dog’s cone to put it on at home.
If you can stay with your dog and watch over them at all times, then wearing a cone is not as necessary. But, if you are not there to monitor their movements, then it is important to make your dog wear a cone after neutering.
The surgical site gets itchy as it heals, and putting the cone around your dog’s neck restricts them from licking or scratching the incision.
Most dogs tend to not like cones as it restricts their movement. You can take it off at night to help your dog sleep comfortably. If your dog has difficulty eating with the cone on, then hold it closer to its mouth.
The healing time is different for female and male dogs, and it is even less for younger pups. But, to be safe, keep the cone on for up to two weeks until your dog heals. And when the incision starts to look good, you can take off your dog’s cone.
How To Take Care Of Dogs After Neuter?
When you bring your dog home after the surgical procedure, you should carefully monitor him and the surgical site to ensure it is healing properly.
Here are some veterinarian-approved instructions on how to care for your dog after neuter surgery:
1. Don’t Make Changes To The Diet
The urge to give your dog a special meal after he comes from surgery is strong in dog owners. But you should avoid giving them anything new that you haven’t given them before. It is because if they don’t feel good after eating, it will be difficult to know whether it is due to the surgery or the dietary change.
This is why you should stick to your dog’s normal diet for about a week or two after surgery. And start by feeding them in moderate portions. You can give them more if they seem hungry, but try not to overfeed your dog.
2. Start The Pain Medicines From The Next Day
It is common practice to administer local anesthesia to the dogs during the surgery, and they are also given a long-acting pain injection, so it doesn’t hurt as much. The effects of the injection will probably last for the day so you do not need to give them pain medication the night you bring them home.
The doctor will give you the pain medication with the directions and proper dosage. Start the medication the day after the surgery and be sure to leave an appropriate time gap between doses.
You should give them the medicine after they have eaten because, like humans, dogs also should not take medicines on an empty stomach.
3. Restrict Their Activity For 14 Days
You should limit your dog’s activity for 10–14 days, so as not to tire them out after surgery. This includes not letting them run, swim, jump, or go up and down the stairs repeatedly.
Start taking them out for short walks and always keep them on a leash. And it will be easier to limit their activities by keeping them in small spaces.
But don’t worry too much if you have an overly energetic dog, because there are multiple layers of sutures underneath the one you see on the skin that prevents the cut from opening.
4. Monitor The Incision Daily
It normally takes fourteen days for the cut to start to knit back together. So, for those two weeks, you must constantly monitor the stitches to make sure they are healing properly. It should heal normally and you should see improvement every day.
The skin around the surgical site is tender and could get infected easily. So, if you see any redness, swelling, the opening of stitches, oozing, or bleeding, then take your dog to the vet immediately and get it checked out.
Do not ignore these signs because if they cause an infection, then your dog might get a fever and will have to take antibiotics on top of the pain meds.
5. Don’t Let The Incision Get Wet
You do not want the incision to get wet for two weeks after the surgery. This means you cannot bathe or groom your pup. And make sure they do not jump into a pool. If for any reason, the area around the cut gets wet, you need to pat it dry with a cloth.
And if you think there is a need for cleaning them, then simply use baby wipes to wipe their paws and belly.
6. Watch Your Dog’s Behavior
Your dog should still be energetic after the surgery. So, if you notice any changes in their behavior such as fatigue, laziness, and not wanting to eat or drink properly, then you should contact your vet immediately.
They need to eat and drink properly because they are on a lot of medication.
Conclusion
In some cases, a male dog shows increased aggression after being neutered. That is why it is important that your dog wears a cone for his and others’ safety.
The plastic cone can be very irritating to wear on top of the discomfort from the surgery. So, pet owners can opt for a blow-up dogs cone, which has soft fabric and will be more comfortable for their furry friend.
If you have any concerns or questions regarding your dog’s health, then you should contact your doctor via call or email as listed on the discharge papers.
