Your dog will need plenty of rest after having surgery.
Every year, the United States spends more than $11 billion on pet health care, including surgeries. As technology advances and animal care becomes more in-depth, costs rise, according to Vet Info. Thousands of canine surgeries are performed every year, varying from common spay and neuter procedures to organ transplants. Proper care before, during and after canine surgery is critical for good health and the optimal outcome.
Pre-operative Care
As every surgery and every dog combines to create an individual situation, owners should be careful to precisely follow all veterinarian instructions, according to Vet Info. They should also carefully consider the benefits and risks of any given procedure. However, a few requirements are fairly standard. Dogs should not eat for twelve hours or drink eight hours before a surgery, as it may create problems during the operation. Dogs will also need plenty of soothing and reassurance during surgery preparation. (ref 1)
Typical Costs of Typical Surgeries
Costs of canine surgery vary, but estimations can be made for operations without complications. According to Vet Info, typical costs for spaying and neutering range from $149 to $189, depending on the age and weight of the dog. Cataract surgeries customarily cost between $1,500 and $3,000; hip dysplasia operations usually cost between $1,000 and $2,400, not including maintenance medications; and gastropexy surgeries (for bloat) cost between $400 for preventative operations to $5,000 for operations to treat existing conditions with complications.
Estimating Costs
While generalizations about costs for typical surgeries provide some idea of what a canine operation may cost, other major factors need to be considered, according to Vet Info. These factors include the type of surgery, the veterinarian's typical cost range, time spent in surgery, pre- and post-operative care and possible complications. The pre-anesthetic exam, anesthesia, pulse oximetry monitoring, actual procedure, post-operative pain medications and post-operative antibiotic injections are usually included in the original quote.
Post-Operative Care
Caring for a dog after surgery depends on many factors, including the type of surgery, condition of the animal and possible and/or experienced complications. Veterinarians provide specific post-operative instructions for each case.
In general, according to Vet Info, activity should be severely limited for dogs immediately after surgery; crating or confining in a small room free of toys may be necessary. Food and water should also be limited for a short period (depending on vet instructions), and owners should carefully monitor sutures for redness, swelling, oozing or other signs of complications. Preventing the dog from licking, biting or otherwise disturbing the affected area helps ensure proper wound healing.
Results of Improper Care
Improper care before surgery can result in complications during the operation or later. Improper care after surgery can result in infections, pain and needless suffering, according to Vet Info. Many surgeries, however, are necessary to either reduce the pet population (spaying and neutering) or save a dog's life, such as with organ transplants.
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