What to Expect After Surgery?
With Extractions Done:
What do I Look Out for?
Once your pet is out of surgery, here is what to expect when they are discharged to you. What we explain to our clients if there were extractions is that there may be some red tinge to their saliva, which is normal. However, if there is excessive bleeding, then you can give us a call. Other signs to look for are any foul smell in the mouth or any pawing at the mouth, again, give us a call because these are all possible signs of infection. For the first night at home, watch your pet on high furniture and stairs because they are possibly still wobbly on their feet due to the anesthesia. Also, if there are other pets in the house, we ask you to keep them separated for the night, just so your pet can recover calmly from surgery.
How Should My Pet Be Fed?
After surgery we recommend that the first feeding is half of their usual portion of food. Then after an hour with no vomiting, they can have the rest of their food. The feeding instructions vary on where the pet had extractions, if they were in the front of the mouth, we ask that you hand feed meatball sized portions of their own soft food for the first week. We recommend this because we want to avoid the sutures being disrupted when they are eating out of the food bowl. As for extractions towards the back of the mouth, they can have hard food softened with water or broth, where there is no resistance when pierced with a fork.
Are There Any Restrictions?
For the next 2 weeks we ask that you refrain from giving your pet any hard treats, hard food, or hard toys until your pet comes in for their complimentary follow up appointment. We also suggest that you not let your pet engage in activity for 3-4 days post procedure to avoid swelling and stress on the oral surgery sites.
Are the Sutures Dissolvable?
Yes, they are within 2 to 4 weeks they go away on their own, do not be alarmed when debris gets caught in their sutures. Please do not try to remove it, if concerned we can take a look at it during the recheck exam.
Why Is There a Bandage on My Pet’s Arm?
That bandage is a band aid placed over where the IV catheter was during your pet’s procedure. You can remove it as soon as you return home.
No Extractions Done:
What do I Look Out for?
Since your pet only had a dental cleaning, there is nothing major to look for. They may have blood-tinged saliva, due to cleaning below the gumline. However, no major bleeding or pawing that the mouth should be noted. For the first night at home, watch your pet on high furniture and stairs because they are possibly still wobbly on their feet due to the anesthesia. Also, if there are other pets in the house, we ask to keep them separated for the night, just so your pet can recover calmly from surgery.
How Should My Pet Be Fed?
Just for one night, water down your pet’s hard food to where there is no resistance when poked with a fork. We ask to give half of their usual portion of food, then after an hour with no vomiting they can have the rest of the food. After tonight, they can resume normal feeding.
Are There Any Restrictions?
No restrictions, they can resume their normal routine.
Why Is There a Bandage on My Pet’s Arm?
That bandage is a band aid placed over where the IV catheter was during your pet’s procedure. You can remove it as soon as you return home.