Three Simple Tips for Preventing Complications After Dog Desexing

The practice of pet desexing is beneficial for you, your dog and the community. In simple terms, when a canine is neutered, it does not display a lot of anti-social and aggressive behaviour. Bad habits include fighting and humping. Also, neutered dogs do not wander from home to search for a mate. Wandering can increase the risk of incidents like car accidents. In addition, your dog will not be vulnerable to diseases related to the reproductive organs. Still, there is concern from pet owners regarding potential complications like infections after the operation. Here are essential tips to help you limit the risk of problems during recovery.

Examine Your Dog

It is important to make certain that your dog is healing well after the operation. If the wound is not recovering at the expected rate, you can take appropriate action. If you ignore the wound, an issue might arise and remain undetected. You should take some time to look at the wound. If there is unusual swelling or an accumulation of pus, consult your vet. Also, look out for general signs of poor health such as lethargy and significant difficulty when standing up.

Provide Suitable Food

Poor appetite is to be expected immediately after the operation. However, this is only a temporary issue. If your dog continues to not desire food, you should consult your veterinarian. However, it is essential to note that the dog might be uncomfortable with its usual food during this period. Therefore, make some appetising wet food for them. This is of importance if a tube was placed down the pet's throat. You might want to opt for bland foods if your dog rejects dog food. For instance, white rice and some bland chicken breast can be perfect for a dog after the procedure.

Prevent Licking

Licking is normal for dogs, especially when they feel discomfort. However, this soothing behaviour can be detrimental to healing and cause complications. In fact, it is one of the common reasons that dogs get an infection after desexing. If you would like to avoid delayed healing and managing an infection, you should ask your vet to put a head collar on your dog. The cone might be bulky and uncomfortable for your pet. However, it is better for the animal to endure this for a few days than for a serious infection to develop.

Finally, you should plan for plenty of rest for your dog. Constant movement and exercise could cause the wound to tear and take longer to heal. 

For more information on pet desexing, contact a veterinarian.