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Pre- and Post- Surgery Care

Prepare Your Dog for Surgery

As a pet owner, knowing the basics of prepping your dog for a surgical procedure is crucial to ensure a safe operation. Your veterinarian should give you instructions and information about what to expect, which include required tests and vaccinations, grooming your dog (as it may be a while before you can bathe your pet) and restricting food and water intake, and other things to remember when preparing your dog for surgery. If you know exactly when and what type of procedure your dog is having, it’s a lot easier to plan and have everything ready ahead of time. Below are some tips and information on how to prepare your dog for a surgical procedure:

It’s important to start preparing for your dog’s surgery one week beforehand. Contact your veterinary clinic to inquire about any required testing to be done to qualify for surgery, when your dog is allowed to eat, and what medications are needed or if any should be skipped. Your vet may require a pre-operative blood panel, ultrasound, radiograph, or other necessary testing to ensure that general anesthesia will be safe for your dog.

Inform your vet of any supplements that you give your dog, and follow directions about if and when to discontinue them. Many veterinary practices require that your pet be current on the following vaccines to protect other patients at the hospital: Bordetella, Rabies, Canine Distemper, Canine Flu, and Parvo. If your pet is not current on required vaccinations there is a small chance that your pet’s procedure could be delayed depending on your care provider.

Seek your vet’s advice on exercise restrictions, eating, and drinking or if your dog requires a specific diet prior to surgery so you can plan accordingly. The day before surgery, do not go on long walks or allow your pet to play roughly and move around too much. Doing so may cause their muscles to be sore on the day of surgery, adding more discomfort to their already stressful day. Ask your vet whether or not you should give your dog any medication they normally take.

In most cases, your dog will need to fast for 8-12 hours prior to surgery depending on your vet’s instructions, to ensure that the stomach is empty thereby reducing your pet’s risk of nausea and vomiting both before and after anesthesia is administered. In the event that your pet somehow finds food or water before surgery, let your vet know that they did so they can advise you on how to proceed. In certain cases the surgeon will recommend that you reschedule to avoid any unnecessary additional risk.

Getting a good night’s sleep before going in for surgery is also important for your dog to reduce the stress and anxiety of being in a vet clinic. If your dog needs a bath, haircut, nail trimming, and ear-cleaning, make sure to do this before the surgery date since the incision site will need to be kept clean and dry for a few weeks after the operation.

The day before your dog's surgery is also a good time to prepare your home for the following day. It can be as simple as setting up your dog’s area for recovery or packing food and medications for the trip to the vet clinic. It’s also a good idea to wash your dog’s bedding to reduce the risk of bacterial infection after the surgery. Setting things up the day before your dog’s surgery will make the process go much more smoothly the day of.

On the morning of your dog’s surgery, make sure to keep withholding food and water and take your dog outside for a brief walk and a potty break before arriving at your veterinary providers facility. Show up a few minutes early to your vet clinic appointment so you can have time to talk to the staff and fill out any last-minute paperwork. It’s normal to feel nervous, but staying calm is key to help tame your dog’s nerves and prepare them for the surgery. Be sure to leave your contact details as well as an emergency contact with the clinic so they can call you in case of an emergency or when your dog is ready to be picked up.

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Taking Care of Your Dog Post-Surgery

Once you bring your dog home after surgery, make sure to follow the post-surgery instructions given by your vet. They will need to take medication to help with pain, prevent swelling, and reduce the risk of secondary infections. Here are other things to expect during post-surgery care:

  • Even if you feel that your pet is totally fine after the surgery, it’s important to significantly reduce its activity levels for at least two full weeks to avoid the risk of reopening the incision.
  • Watch out for any licking, scratching, or chewing of the stitches, including changes in your dog’s appetite or disposition.
  • Your vet will prescribe restricted activity for your dog, which can be difficult for them but is crucial for proper healing.
  • Following your veterinarian’s instructions exactly is the most important step to help your pet make a full recovery.
  • If you notice any signs of discomfort or unusual behavior, consult your vet or call the closest emergency veterinary hospital for guidance.
  • Your dog will most likely be sent home with an E-collar, commonly referred to as the “cone of shame,” to prevent them from licking, scratching, or chewing the incision area which will interfere with the healing process.

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Your veterinarian will provide dog surgery pre-op instructions to prepare your pet for its upcoming operation. This will include adding any proper hygiene, limiting food intake, and restricting physical activity. Your vet will also go over post-surgery dog care tips in order to make their recovery easier. As a pet owner, you may need to make modifications to your home, adjust your dog’s routine and diet, or exercise them appropriately as they recover.

Knowing what common injuries to look for and the symptoms they cause will help you catch issues early. Seeing a veterinarian professional as early as possible will help prevent their conditions from getting worse. Follow your vet’s dog surgery pre-op instructions and post-surgery dog care to help your pet feel comfortable and recover better.

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"The sleeve not only made the healing process so much more bearable for our sweet dog but also for us. It was super easy to use and very comfortable⁠ for him.”⁠

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Verified Customer

Lick Sleeve® is Perfect for Your Dog’s recovery

A recovery cone AKA the cone of shame is the most widely used device for protecting a dog’s leg injury or surgery site from destructive biting and licking. However, the cone of shame is very uncomfortable and frustrating for both the dog and owner, and in some cases, ineffective for your pet’s recovery. There are certain dogs who will not tolerate the cone of shame. Lick Sleeve® provides a new and effective solution that can make your dog’s recovery experience as peaceful, painless, and comfortable as possible.

Our innovative surgical recovery sleeve is a perfect alternative to an E-collar. Lick Sleeve® was designed to protect a dog's leg in cases of injury or during post-surgery care. It also provides comfort, reduces stress vs the cone, and promotes faster healing without taking away a dog's freedom of movement. Lick Sleeve® is the dog leg sleeve recommended by veterinarians worldwide. Lick Sleeve® is becoming an industry standard and is guaranteed to help your dog recover more comfortably.



Our innovative surgical recovery sleeve is the perfect alternative to an E-collar designed to protect a dog's leg in cases of injury or during post-surgery care.

It also provides comfort, reduces stress, and promotes faster healing without taking away a dog's freedom of movement.

The dog leg sleeve recommended by veterinarians worldwide, Lick Sleeve® is becoming an industry standard and aims to keep your dog comfortable and happy during recovery.

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Make comfortable and happy recovery your number one priority

See how Lick Sleeve® changed the life of dog owners and made their pups’ recovery more comfortable and stress-free. Its form-fitting design allows natural movement that lets your dog run, walk, and play normally. Heal in style and make your dog happy with Lick Sleeve®.

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Pre and Post Surgery Care



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