If your dog must undergo surgery for any reason, you should be prepared to provide extra care and attention during the following days. While a dog’s surgery typically involves an invasive procedure that requires recovery on its own, a dog’s anesthesia recovery can be a longer and more gradual process than what humans experience, due to the increased effects of anesthesia in pets.
During this recovery process, you may notice behavioral changes or other physical developments that raise concerns about your dog’s recovery. Some of these changes are normal and to be expected in your dog after anesthesia and surgery, but others could be signs of complications and require additional medical treatment.
Here are some guidelines and tips to prep dog owners for what to expect from dogs after surgery, and how to properly care for them to support a quick, healthy recovery.
How Long Does Sedation Last in Dogs?
If your dog is sedated for a surgical procedure, the vet will monitor your dog as it awakens from anesthesia to make sure their recovery is off to a good start. You can expect your dog to still be in a fog when you bring it home from the hospital or clinic. It’s normal for dogs to be wobbly-legged and/or nauseous in the day following a surgical procedure. Vomiting may also occur.
In terms of how long does dog anesthesia take to wear off completely, the typical time span is between 24 and 48 hours. During this time, your dog may continue to seem drowsy or low energy. You may also notice your dog shaking after surgery—this can be a common side effect of sedation, and should go away within 48 hours. If the effects of sedation continue to linger after 48 hours, or if you have any concerns about your dog’s recovery, don’t hesitate to contact your vet.
Caring for Your Dog After Surgery: What to Expect
Once the vet checks your dog’s vital signs and deems it safe to return home, you will be given a set of home care instructions specific to your dog’s procedure. This may include instructions for cleaning the dog’s surgical wound site, dietary restrictions or other information. Always follow the care instructions provided by your vet.
In addition to these home care instructions, you will likely want to take the following steps to properly care for your dog—and maximize their comfort as they recover:
- Set up a quiet, comfortable space where they can rest in peace. This could be their kennel or another area where your dog can recover while feeling secure. You may want to keep them away from other pets and children as they recover, to minimize their stress during this process—and to avoid unnecessary aggravation of their surgical site.
- Keep your dog indoors except when going to the bathroom. Monitor outdoor trips and consider carrying them up and down stairs if their mobility is limited. In some cases, you might prefer to set up potty pads indoors to give your dog an easier option for relieving themselves during their recovery.
- Stick to the schedule when administering pain relievers and other medication. These medications will aid in recovery and reduce your dog’s discomfort through this process. Missed medications can lead to unnecessary suffering and complications, while overdosing can put your dog’s health in jeopardy.
- Monitor the surgical site for abnormal developments. Surgical sites take time to heal, but swelling, oozing and other developments could be a sign that the site is not healing properly. This could be due to several reasons, including irritation at the surgical site—caused by a dog’s scratching or biting, for example—or other issues not obvious to the owner.
- Bring your pet to their follow-up appointment. If the vet wants to schedule a follow-up appointment with your dog, attend this appointment even if you think your dog is doing fine. The vet may notice symptoms or signs of complications that you may have missed—and faster detection will lead to better outcomes for your dog.
How to Spot Signs of Infection After Surgery
With proper care, most dog surgeries are completed without any post-surgery complications. When infections do occur, though, they need to be taken seriously and treated by a vet. Dog owners should be on the lookout for the following signs of infection after surgery:
- Continued bleeding or oozing from the surgical site
- Pus leakage from the surgical site
- Intense redness or swelling
- Heat at the surgical site
- Signs of pain in your dog that seem to be progressing
- Rancid or unpleasant smells at the surgical site
If any of these symptoms develop, assume your dog has an infection and seek medical care immediately.
With proper care and time to heal, your dog’s surgery should lead to a full recovery and a better quality of life. Give your dog a little extra attention and space to heal and monitor their behaviors closely to make sure their stay on track with their recovery.
AKC PUPDATE<\> newsletter!","textSubheader":"Covering day 1 to 18 months; get essential info about puppy health, training, socialization and more.","breeds":[{"label":"Affenpinscher","value":"Affenpinscher"},{"label":"Afghan Hound","value":"Afghan Hound"},{"label":"Airedale Terrier","value":"Airedale Terrier"},{"label":"Akita","value":"Akita"},{"label":"Alaskan Klee Kai","value":"Alaskan Klee Kai"},{"label":"Alaskan Malamute","value":"Alaskan Malamute"},{"label":"American Bulldog","value":"American Bulldog"},{"label":"American English Coonhound","value":"American English Coonhound"},{"label":"American Eskimo Dog","value":"American Eskimo Dog"},{"label":"American Foxhound","value":"American Foxhound"},{"label":"American Hairless Terrier","value":"American Hairless Terrier"},{"label":"American Leopard Hound","value":"American Leopard Hound"},{"label":"American Staffordshire Terrier","value":"American Staffordshire Terrier"},{"label":"American Water Spaniel","value":"American Water Spaniel"},{"label":"Anatolian Shepherd Dog","value":"Anatolian Shepherd Dog"},{"label":"Appenzeller Sennenhund","value":"Appenzeller Sennenhund"},{"label":"Australian Cattle Dog","value":"Australian Cattle Dog"},{"label":"Australian Kelpie","value":"Australian Kelpie"},{"label":"Australian Shepherd","value":"Australian Shepherd"},{"label":"Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog","value":"Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog"},{"label":"Australian Terrier","value":"Australian Terrier"},{"label":"Azawakh","value":"Azawakh"},{"label":"Barbado da Terceira","value":"Barbado da Terceira"},{"label":"Barbet","value":"Barbet"},{"label":"Basenji","value":"Basenji"},{"label":"Basset Fauve de Bretagne","value":"Basset Fauve de Bretagne"},{"label":"Basset Hound","value":"Basset Hound"},{"label":"Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound","value":"Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound"},{"label":"Beagle","value":"Beagle"},{"label":"Bearded Collie","value":"Bearded Collie"},{"label":"Beauceron","value":"Beauceron"},{"label":"Bedlington Terrier","value":"Bedlington Terrier"},{"label":"Belgian Laekenois","value":"Belgian Laekenois"},{"label":"Belgian Malinois","value":"Belgian Malinois"},{"label":"Belgian Sheepdog","value":"Belgian Sheepdog"},{"label":"Belgian Tervuren","value":"Belgian Tervuren"},{"label":"Bergamasco Sheepdog","value":"Bergamasco Sheepdog"},{"label":"Berger Picard","value":"Berger Picard"},{"label":"Bernese Mountain Dog","value":"Bernese Mountain Dog"},{"label":"Bichon Frise","value":"Bichon Frise"},{"label":"Biewer Terrier","value":"Biewer Terrier"},{"label":"Black and Tan Coonhound","value":"Black and Tan Coonhound"},{"label":"Black Russian Terrier","value":"Black Russian Terrier"},{"label":"Bloodhound","value":"Bloodhound"},{"label":"Bluetick Coonhound","value":"Bluetick Coonhound"},{"label":"Boerboel","value":"Boerboel"},{"label":"Bohemian Shepherd","value":"Bohemian Shepherd"},{"label":"Bolognese","value":"Bolognese"},{"label":"Border Collie","value":"Border Collie"},{"label":"Border Terrier","value":"Border Terrier"},{"label":"Borzoi","value":"Borzoi"},{"label":"Boston Terrier","value":"Boston Terrier"},{"label":"Bouvier des Flandres","value":"Bouvier des Flandres"},{"label":"Boxer","value":"Boxer"},{"label":"Boykin Spaniel","value":"Boykin Spaniel"},{"label":"Bracco Italiano","value":"Bracco Italiano"},{"label":"Braque du Bourbonnais","value":"Braque du Bourbonnais"},{"label":"Braque Francais Pyrenean","value":"Braque Francais Pyrenean"},{"label":"Briard","value":"Briard"},{"label":"Brittany","value":"Brittany"},{"label":"Broholmer","value":"Broholmer"},{"label":"Brussels Griffon","value":"Brussels Griffon"},{"label":"Bull Terrier","value":"Bull Terrier"},{"label":"Bulldog","value":"Bulldog"},{"label":"Bullmastiff","value":"Bullmastiff"},{"label":"Cairn Terrier","value":"Cairn Terrier"},{"label":"Canaan Dog","value":"Canaan Dog"},{"label":"Cane Corso","value":"Cane Corso"},{"label":"Cardigan Welsh Corgi","value":"Cardigan Welsh Corgi"},{"label":"Carolina Dog","value":"Carolina Dog"},{"label":"Catahoula Leopard Dog","value":"Catahoula Leopard Dog"},{"label":"Caucasian Shepherd Dog","value":"Caucasian Shepherd Dog"},{"label":"Cavalier King Charles Spaniel","value":"Cavalier King Charles Spaniel"},{"label":"Central Asian Shepherd Dog","value":"Central Asian Shepherd Dog"},{"label":"Cesky Terrier","value":"Cesky Terrier"},{"label":"Chesapeake Bay Retriever","value":"Chesapeake Bay Retriever"},{"label":"Chihuahua","value":"Chihuahua"},{"label":"Chinese Crested","value":"Chinese Crested"},{"label":"Chinese Shar-Pei","value":"Chinese Shar-Pei"},{"label":"Chinook","value":"Chinook"},{"label":"Chow Chow","value":"Chow Chow"},{"label":"Cirneco dell\u2019Etna","value":"Cirneco dell\u2019Etna"},{"label":"Clumber Spaniel","value":"Clumber Spaniel"},{"label":"Cocker Spaniel","value":"Cocker Spaniel"},{"label":"Collie","value":"Collie"},{"label":"Coton de Tulear","value":"Coton de Tulear"},{"label":"Croatian Sheepdog","value":"Croatian Sheepdog"},{"label":"Curly-Coated Retriever","value":"Curly-Coated Retriever"},{"label":"Czechoslovakian Vlcak","value":"Czechoslovakian Vlcak"},{"label":"Dachshund","value":"Dachshund"},{"label":"Dalmatian","value":"Dalmatian"},{"label":"Dandie Dinmont Terrier","value":"Dandie Dinmont Terrier"},{"label":"Danish-Swedish Farmdog","value":"Danish-Swedish Farmdog"},{"label":"Deutscher Wachtelhund","value":"Deutscher Wachtelhund"},{"label":"Doberman Pinscher","value":"Doberman Pinscher"},{"label":"Dogo Argentino","value":"Dogo Argentino"},{"label":"Dogue de Bordeaux","value":"Dogue de Bordeaux"},{"label":"Drentsche Patrijshond","value":"Drentsche Patrijshond"},{"label":"Drever","value":"Drever"},{"label":"Dutch Shepherd","value":"Dutch Shepherd"},{"label":"English Cocker Spaniel","value":"English Cocker Spaniel"},{"label":"English Foxhound","value":"English Foxhound"},{"label":"English Setter","value":"English Setter"},{"label":"English Springer Spaniel","value":"English Springer Spaniel"},{"label":"English Toy Spaniel","value":"English Toy Spaniel"},{"label":"Entlebucher Mountain Dog","value":"Entlebucher Mountain Dog"},{"label":"Estrela Mountain Dog","value":"Estrela Mountain Dog"},{"label":"Eurasier","value":"Eurasier"},{"label":"Field Spaniel","value":"Field Spaniel"},{"label":"Finnish Lapphund","value":"Finnish Lapphund"},{"label":"Finnish Spitz","value":"Finnish Spitz"},{"label":"Flat-Coated Retriever","value":"Flat-Coated Retriever"},{"label":"French Bulldog","value":"French Bulldog"},{"label":"French Spaniel","value":"French Spaniel"},{"label":"German Longhaired Pointer","value":"German Longhaired Pointer"},{"label":"German Pinscher","value":"German Pinscher"},{"label":"German Shepherd Dog","value":"German Shepherd Dog"},{"label":"German Shorthaired Pointer","value":"German Shorthaired Pointer"},{"label":"German Spitz","value":"German Spitz"},{"label":"German Wirehaired Pointer","value":"German Wirehaired Pointer"},{"label":"Giant Schnauzer","value":"Giant Schnauzer"},{"label":"Glen of Imaal Terrier","value":"Glen of Imaal Terrier"},{"label":"Golden Retriever","value":"Golden Retriever"},{"label":"Gordon Setter","value":"Gordon Setter"},{"label":"Grand Basset Griffon Vend\u00e9en","value":"Grand Basset Griffon Vend\u00e9en"},{"label":"Great Dane","value":"Great Dane"},{"label":"Great Pyrenees","value":"Great Pyrenees"},{"label":"Greater Swiss Mountain Dog","value":"Greater Swiss Mountain Dog"},{"label":"Greyhound","value":"Greyhound"},{"label":"Hamiltonstovare","value":"Hamiltonstovare"},{"label":"Hanoverian Scenthound","value":"Hanoverian Scenthound"},{"label":"Harrier","value":"Harrier"},{"label":"Havanese","value":"Havanese"},{"label":"Hokkaido","value":"Hokkaido"},{"label":"Hovawart","value":"Hovawart"},{"label":"Ibizan Hound","value":"Ibizan Hound"},{"label":"Icelandic Sheepdog","value":"Icelandic Sheepdog"},{"label":"Irish Red and White Setter","value":"Irish Red and White Setter"},{"label":"Irish Setter","value":"Irish Setter"},{"label":"Irish Terrier","value":"Irish Terrier"},{"label":"Irish Water Spaniel","value":"Irish Water Spaniel"},{"label":"Irish Wolfhound","value":"Irish Wolfhound"},{"label":"Italian Greyhound","value":"Italian Greyhound"},{"label":"Jagdterrier","value":"Jagdterrier"},{"label":"Japanese Akitainu","value":"Japanese Akitainu"},{"label":"Japanese Chin","value":"Japanese Chin"},{"label":"Japanese Spitz","value":"Japanese Spitz"},{"label":"Japanese Terrier","value":"Japanese Terrier"},{"label":"Jindo","value":"Jindo"},{"label":"Kai Ken","value":"Kai Ken"},{"label":"Karelian Bear Dog","value":"Karelian Bear Dog"},{"label":"Keeshond","value":"Keeshond"},{"label":"Kerry Blue Terrier","value":"Kerry Blue Terrier"},{"label":"Kishu Ken","value":"Kishu Ken"},{"label":"Komondor","value":"Komondor"},{"label":"Kromfohrlander","value":"Kromfohrlander"},{"label":"Kuvasz","value":"Kuvasz"},{"label":"Labrador Retriever","value":"Labrador Retriever"},{"label":"Lagotto Romagnolo","value":"Lagotto Romagnolo"},{"label":"Lakeland Terrier","value":"Lakeland Terrier"},{"label":"Lancashire Heeler","value":"Lancashire Heeler"},{"label":"Lapponian Herder","value":"Lapponian Herder"},{"label":"Leonberger","value":"Leonberger"},{"label":"Lhasa Apso","value":"Lhasa Apso"},{"label":"L\u00f6wchen","value":"Lowchen"},{"label":"Maltese","value":"Maltese"},{"label":"Manchester Terrier (Standard)","value":"Manchester Terrier"},{"label":"Manchester Terrier (Toy)","value":"Manchester Terrier"},{"label":"Mastiff","value":"Mastiff"},{"label":"Miniature American Shepherd","value":"Miniature American Shepherd"},{"label":"Miniature Bull Terrier","value":"Miniature Bull Terrier"},{"label":"Miniature Pinscher","value":"Miniature Pinscher"},{"label":"Miniature Schnauzer","value":"Miniature Schnauzer"},{"label":"Mountain Cur","value":"Mountain Cur"},{"label":"Mudi","value":"Mudi"},{"label":"Neapolitan Mastiff","value":"Neapolitan Mastiff"},{"label":"Nederlandse Kooikerhondje","value":"Nederlandse Kooikerhondje"},{"label":"Newfoundland","value":"Newfoundland"},{"label":"Norfolk Terrier","value":"Norfolk Terrier"},{"label":"Norrbottenspets","value":"Norrbottenspets"},{"label":"Norwegian Buhund","value":"Norwegian Buhund"},{"label":"Norwegian Elkhound","value":"Norwegian Elkhound"},{"label":"Norwegian Lundehund","value":"Norwegian Lundehund"},{"label":"Norwich Terrier","value":"Norwich Terrier"},{"label":"Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever","value":"Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever"},{"label":"Old English Sheepdog","value":"Old English Sheepdog"},{"label":"Otterhound","value":"Otterhound"},{"label":"Papillon","value":"Papillon"},{"label":"Parson Russell Terrier","value":"Parson Russell Terrier"},{"label":"Pekingese","value":"Pekingese"},{"label":"Pembroke Welsh Corgi","value":"Pembroke Welsh Corgi"},{"label":"Perro de Presa Canario","value":"Perro de Presa Canario"},{"label":"Peruvian Inca Orchid","value":"Peruvian Inca Orchid"},{"label":"Petit Basset Griffon Vend\u00e9en","value":"Petit Basset Griffon Vend\u00e9en"},{"label":"Pharaoh Hound","value":"Pharaoh Hound"},{"label":"Plott Hound","value":"Plott Hound"},{"label":"Pointer","value":"Pointer"},{"label":"Polish Lowland Sheepdog","value":"Polish Lowland Sheepdog"},{"label":"Pomeranian","value":"Pomeranian"},{"label":"Poodle (Miniature)","value":"Poodle"},{"label":"Poodle (Standard)","value":"Poodle"},{"label":"Poodle (Toy)","value":"Poodle"},{"label":"Porcelaine","value":"Porcelaine"},{"label":"Portuguese Podengo","value":"Portuguese Podengo"},{"label":"Portuguese Podengo Pequeno","value":"Portuguese Podengo Pequeno"},{"label":"Portuguese Pointer","value":"Portuguese Pointer"},{"label":"Portuguese Sheepdog","value":"Portuguese Sheepdog"},{"label":"Portuguese Water Dog","value":"Portuguese Water Dog"},{"label":"Pudelpointer","value":"Pudelpointer"},{"label":"Pug","value":"Pug"},{"label":"Puli","value":"Puli"},{"label":"Pumi","value":"Pumi"},{"label":"Pyrenean Mastiff","value":"Pyrenean Mastiff"},{"label":"Pyrenean Shepherd","value":"Pyrenean Shepherd"},{"label":"Rafeiro do Alentejo","value":"Rafeiro do Alentejo"},{"label":"Rat Terrier","value":"Rat Terrier"},{"label":"Redbone Coonhound","value":"Redbone Coonhound"},{"label":"Rhodesian Ridgeback","value":"Rhodesian Ridgeback"},{"label":"Romanian Carpathian Shepherd","value":"Romanian Carpathian Shepherd"},{"label":"Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog","value":"Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog"},{"label":"Rottweiler","value":"Rottweiler"},{"label":"Russell Terrier","value":"Russell Terrier"},{"label":"Russian Toy","value":"Russian Toy"},{"label":"Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka","value":"Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka"},{"label":"Saint Bernard","value":"Saint Bernard"},{"label":"Saluki","value":"Saluki"},{"label":"Samoyed","value":"Samoyed"},{"label":"Schapendoes","value":"Schapendoes"},{"label":"Schipperke","value":"Schipperke"},{"label":"Scottish Deerhound","value":"Scottish Deerhound"},{"label":"Scottish Terrier","value":"Scottish Terrier"},{"label":"Sealyham Terrier","value":"Sealyham Terrier"},{"label":"Segugio Italiano","value":"Segugio Italiano"},{"label":"Shetland Sheepdog","value":"Shetland Sheepdog"},{"label":"Shiba Inu","value":"Shiba Inu"},{"label":"Shih Tzu","value":"Shih Tzu"},{"label":"Shikoku","value":"Shikoku"},{"label":"Siberian Husky","value":"Siberian Husky"},{"label":"Silky Terrier","value":"Silky Terrier"},{"label":"Skye Terrier","value":"Skye Terrier"},{"label":"Sloughi","value":"Sloughi"},{"label":"Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer","value":"Slovakian Wirehaired Pointer"},{"label":"Slovensky Cuvac","value":"Slovensky Cuvac"},{"label":"Slovensky Kopov","value":"Slovensky Kopov"},{"label":"Small Munsterlander","value":"Small Munsterlander"},{"label":"Smooth Fox Terrier","value":"Smooth Fox Terrier"},{"label":"Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier","value":"Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier"},{"label":"Spanish Mastiff","value":"Spanish Mastiff"},{"label":"Spanish Water Dog","value":"Spanish Water Dog"},{"label":"Spinone Italiano","value":"Spinone Italiano"},{"label":"Stabyhoun","value":"Stabyhoun"},{"label":"Staffordshire Bull Terrier","value":"Staffordshire Bull Terrier"},{"label":"Standard Schnauzer","value":"Standard Schnauzer"},{"label":"Sussex Spaniel","value":"Sussex Spaniel"},{"label":"Swedish Lapphund","value":"Swedish Lapphund"},{"label":"Swedish Vallhund","value":"Swedish Vallhund"},{"label":"Taiwan Dog","value":"Taiwan Dog"},{"label":"Teddy Roosevelt Terrier","value":"Teddy Roosevelt Terrier"},{"label":"Thai Ridgeback","value":"Thai Ridgeback"},{"label":"Tibetan Mastiff","value":"Tibetan Mastiff"},{"label":"Tibetan Spaniel","value":"Tibetan Spaniel"},{"label":"Tibetan Terrier","value":"Tibetan Terrier"},{"label":"Tornjak","value":"Tornjak"},{"label":"Tosa","value":"Tosa"},{"label":"Toy Fox Terrier","value":"Toy Fox Terrier"},{"label":"Transylvanian Hound","value":"Transylvanian Hound"},{"label":"Treeing Tennessee Brindle","value":"Treeing Tennessee Brindle"},{"label":"Treeing Walker Coonhound","value":"Treeing Walker Coonhound"},{"label":"Vizsla","value":"Vizsla"},{"label":"Volpino Italiano","value":"Volpino Italiano"},{"label":"Weimaraner","value":"Weimaraner"},{"label":"Welsh Springer Spaniel","value":"Welsh Springer Spaniel"},{"label":"Welsh Terrier","value":"Welsh Terrier"},{"label":"West Highland White Terrier","value":"West Highland White Terrier"},{"label":"Wetterhoun","value":"Wetterhoun"},{"label":"Whippet","value":"Whippet"},{"label":"Wire Fox Terrier","value":"Wire Fox Terrier"},{"label":"Wirehaired Pointing Griffon","value":"Wirehaired Pointing Griffon"},{"label":"Wirehaired Vizsla","value":"Wirehaired Vizsla"},{"label":"Working Kelpie","value":"Working Kelpie"},{"label":"Xoloitzcuintli","value":"Xoloitzcuintli"},{"label":"Yakutian Laika","value":"Yakutian Laika"},{"label":"Yorkshire Terrier","value":"Yorkshire Terrier"}],"adminAjaxUrl":"\/\/www.akc.org\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","pupdateSource":"site-sidebar"}}>