If your pet is suffering from some tooth issues or other oral problems, you may be looking around for the best option for pet oral surgery in your area. The right veterinarian can fix your pet's issue and give them a better quality of life, but the first few days following the surgery might be rough.
Here are some tips to help your furry friend recover from pet oral surgery.
Rest and Relaxation are Key
When you bring your pet back from the vet's office, it may still be under sedation or incredibly drowsy. Create a dedicated space in your home where your pet can sleep and rest without trouble. Consider placing the pet in a room that is warm, dark, and set up with your pet's favorite bed or piece of furniture to sleep on. Check on the pet periodically but otherwise, try to just let the pet rest as the sedation wears off over time. If your pet normally goes crazy for mail delivery or any other specific incidents, try to ensure that your pet remains unaware of the incident while in recovery. You don't want your pet to stress itself and end up reopening a surgical wound.
Use Prescribed Medications
When you leave the veterinarian's office, you will likely be given some prescription medications such as painkillers or antibiotics that can be used to prevent infection. Slip the medications into your pet's first small meal a couple of hours after the surgery. Use a special soft treat to get the pet to consume the medication if necessary.
Alter Your Pet's Diet
If your pet typically munches on hard food, you will need some alternative options for the first few days as your pet's mouth begins to heal. Stock up on some softer food options if possible. You will also want to scan the living room for any pet toys that might cause trouble like hard chew sticks if your pet were to get a hold of them.
Stay Alert for Trouble
As your pet recovers and its normal personality returns, be alert for any issues, especially when your pet goes to eat. If the pet starts to eat food but then drops it or spits it out, this might be because of pain. If your pet does not return to normal behavior in a couple of days, contact your veterinarian for an immediate appointment.
A Post-Op Visit May Help
Speaking of appointments, you will want to schedule a post-op visit with the veterinarian that performed the oral surgery even if your pet is not showing any signs of trouble. This gives the vet an opportunity to make sure that all is as it should be and it will give you some peace of mind.
