When to Be Concerned About Your Dog After Surgery
Postoperative care is vital to ensure your dog recovers smoothly after surgery. While mild discomfort, drowsiness, and temporary loss of appetite can be normal, certain signs may indicate complications that require immediate veterinary attention. Understanding the risks, symptoms, and expected outcomes is crucial for responsible pet ownership.
Common Postoperative Symptoms to Monitor
- Mild bleeding: Especially in dental or orofacial surgeries, slight bleeding is normal for a few hours post-operation.
- Swelling: Expected during the first 24–48 hours, but should gradually decrease.
- Pain: Some discomfort is anticipated, but it should be manageable with prescribed medications.
- Fatigue or sleepiness: Often due to anesthesia and should lessen within a day.
When to Be Concerned
Pay close attention to these potential warning signs after your dog undergoes surgery:
- Excessive or prolonged bleeding: Could result from clotting disorders or clot dislodgement, especially if blood pools, gums appear pale, or your dog is weak.
- Persistent or worsening swelling: Suggests possible infection, fluid collection, or internal issues.
- Signs of infection: Includes increased redness, foul odor, pus, or warmth around the surgical site.
- Wound dehiscence: The surgical site reopens, often from licking, chewing, or excessive movement.
- Internal bleeding: Signs include pale gums, rapid breathing, distended abdomen, or collapse; immediate intervention is necessary.
- Black stools: May indicate gastrointestinal bleeding due to underlying platelet or clotting disorders.
Owners of certain breeds—such as Greyhounds, Dobermans, and Shetland Sheepdogs—should be especially vigilant due to known genetic predispositions to bleeding disorders.
Bleeding Disorders and Postoperative Risk
Postoperative complications can be linked to congenital or acquired bleeding disorders involving:
- Clotting proteins: Dogs with deficiencies in factors VIII (Hemophilia A) or IX (Hemophilia B) often experience delayed bleeding after surgery.
- von Willebrand disease (vWD): The most common inherited disorder, especially in Dobermans and Scottish Terriers. Symptoms include mucosal bleeding and extended post-surgery bleeding.
- Hyperfibrinolysis in sighthounds: Breeds like Greyhounds can develop bleeding 24–48 hours post-surgery. Antifibrinolytic drugs such as EACA or tranexamic acid are used preventively.
- Acquired disorders: Conditions like rodenticide ingestion, liver disease, and immune-mediated thrombocytopenia impair the body's ability to form or maintain clots.
Diagnostic Tools
If a bleeding disorder is suspected, your vet may perform:
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Coagulation profile
- vWF antigen assay
- Genetic testing for predisposed breeds
- Imaging for internal bleeding (ultrasound/X-ray)
Postoperative Management Tips
- Restrict activity: Prevents clot displacement and wound disruption.
- Use an Elizabethan collar (E-collar): Prevents licking or trauma to the surgical site.
- Soft food diet: Recommended after dental procedures to avoid pressure on the gums.
- Monitor behavior and appearance: Check daily for mood changes, swelling, bleeding, or infection signs.
- Follow medication instructions: Ensure antibiotics and pain meds are administered as prescribed.
Emergency Warning Signs
Contact your vet immediately if your dog shows:
- Pale gums or tongue
- Labored breathing
- Collapse or unresponsiveness
- Fast-expanding swelling at or near the surgical site
- Black or bloody stools
Conclusion
Not all post-surgical symptoms are alarming, but knowing what to watch for can save your dog from serious complications. Prompt veterinary assessment is key when uncertain symptoms arise, particularly in breeds prone to clotting or bleeding issues. With vigilant monitoring and appropriate care, most dogs recover smoothly from surgery.
