Depending on the condition of your pet’s dental health and the symptoms they’re showing, there may come a time when tooth extraction will be necessary. Tooth extraction will be needed when a tooth gets damaged beyond repair or has significant decay that must be removed to prevent infecting other teeth and causing infections. The aftercare needs and recovery time of every pet following their oral surgery will vary depending on their condition and the size of the teeth extracted.
If your pet is due for a tooth extraction a few days or weeks from now, we’ll discuss several pointers for providing proper care when you take them home after their surgery.
How to Care for Your Pet Following a Dental Surgery
Some pets might not show symptoms of oral discomfort after an extensive dental procedure, especially if their drive to eat is great. However, this doesn’t mean they don’t require aftercare. Regardless of any surgical procedure, your furry family member will count on you to care for them until they recover fully.
So we’ve gathered five tips to ensure your pet’s swift recovery after dental surgery.
1. Give Medications Prescribed by the Veterinarian
Pets who have their tooth extracted are administered anti-inflammatory injections to alleviate pain. The vet will also provide additional medications for ongoing pain relief at home. It is essential to give medications exactly as prescribed by your veterinarian to avoid overdosing and underdosing. Also, don’t hesitate to call them if you’re having difficulties administering the medicines.
2. Feed Them Chunky Meat or Soft Foods
Before you head home after your pet’s dental surgery, discuss postoperative feedings with the veterinarian. Depending on the procedure, the vet might recommend moist or soft foods and prohibit hard kibbles until the surgical site has fully healed. This may take several days or upon the vet dentist’s specific directions on when your pet can return to its regular diet. You may browse the web for more details on proper dental care for pets.
3. Ensure Your Pet Gets Enough Rest
Prepare a quiet, safe, and comfy space for your furry buddy to rest undisturbed following the surgery. Your pet should recover from the anesthesia within a few hours, although it often takes 12-24 hours to fully recover. Your pet might look sleepy, disoriented, or lacking in appetite throughout this time, so be proactive in assisting them and providing their needs that are easy to reach for them. If your animal companion stays like this after 24 hours, call the vet immediately.
4. Inquire if Postoperative Checkup is Required
After your pet’s surgery, ask the vet if a postoperative checkup will be needed. If the veterinary surgery specialist confirms, schedule the postoperative follow-up appointment before taking your pet home.
5. Routinely Look For Indications of Problems
Even when your pet goes back to its normal routine and diet, it’s still essential to watch out for any signs of complications that might happen after an extraction. Call your veterinarian for advice if you see the following symptoms:
- Excessive drooling
- Foul breath (Halitosis)
- Swelling or bleeding around the injury area
- Disinterest in favorite chew toys
- Showing aggressiveness when touching their face
- Dropping food while eating
However, if you observe serious symptoms like frequent urination, sudden weight loss, rapid heartbeat, or shallow breathing, you might need to have your pet examined by an internal medicine vet. Conditions like reproductive issues, digestive disorders, heart problems, tumors, and other chronic diseases will require the attention of professionals specializing in vet internal medicine.
You may visit this link to see the common pet diseases vet internists specialize in treating. Vet internists are trained in handling and diagnosing advanced internal medicine disorders to help pets live their best lives despite their serious condition.
Final Thoughts
Although most pets don’t experience many problems following oral procedures or extractions, they can use some rest and tender loving care from their pet owners to ensure they recuperate well. Your attention, love, and care for your pet make a huge difference in their speedy recovery. Do not hesitate to contact the vet dentist when your pet shows alarming symptoms while recuperating. Extra attention to detail throughout their recovery can prevent further complications.
