Scruffy's Pre and Post-Operative (Neutering) Care

For first time dog owners, neutering is a great learning experience towards becoming a more responsible dog owner.  I did not know that dogs (or cats), need to have proper care after neutering.  Somehow, I had the idea that unlike humans, dogs/cats can easily heal or recover naturally because of their unique physiology.    

Here are some things we did before and after Scruffy's surgery.  These are only a reference based on my personal experiences with taking care of Scruffy.  Always consult your veterinarian. 



Before the surgery:

1. Let your vet check if your dog/cat is old enough and healthy to undergo neutering.  Preferably, dogs/cats are neutered when it reaches 5 or 6 months old or older.  
2. Schedule an appointment for neutering.
3. Do not feed your dog or cat for at least 12 hours.  Your pet needs to fast to prevent them from vomiting when they are sedated.
4. Arrive at the appointment on time.
5. If you want, you can bathe your pet before the surgery.  I forgot to do this to Scruffy, so he smells for two weeks.

After the surgery:

1. Your dog/cat has to wear the "cone of shame" for a week to prevent it from licking the operated area.  DO NOT remove the cone.  Licking will delay the healing of the area.
2. Make sure you will help your pet divert its attention from the cone to other things.  Your pet will need to get used to the presence of the cone on his neck.  It will probably try to remove it.
3. If your pet is used to sleeping inside a crate or kennel, prepare a bigger sleeping space to accommodate the extra size of the cone.  Instead of sleeping inside the kennel, we let Scruffy sleep inside his play pen.  We transferred his bed and toys in there.  It gives him more space to move around and sleep comfortably with his cone. 
4. No bathing for one week until the wound completely heals.  For Scruffy, we use baby wipes to clean his body.  I cannot stand the stinky smell when Scruffy stays under the sun for a long time or in his case, not bathing for more than a week.   
5. Walking is not prohibited but refrain from doing any strenuous activity.  Your pet needs to fully rest.  
6. Do not force your pet to eat.  Scruffy did not eat a lot for the first few days after the surgery.  He just slept more.  I just made sure that he drinks water. 
7. Make sure you follow your vets instructions in giving your pet's medications.  Scruffy needs to drink antibiotics and pain reliever for a week.  I usually stuff it inside his meat treats and to make sure he swallows the medicine, I rub his neck and say good boy.  He dislike the taste of his medicine and knows how to spit it out.         

Your pet's full recovery depends on how you take care of it during this process.  Scruffy needs to go back to the clinic after a week for check up and to remove his sutures.  I am sure he cannot wait until the dreaded cone is removed from his head.  

Related Posts

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• Scruffy's Big Step