Post-Operative Care for Dogs and cats

If your dog is scheduled to undergo surgery, whether a routine spay/neuter or something more serious, you're naturally concerned about how your pet will be cared for after the procedure and what care you will need to provide for him once he is released from the veterinary hospital.

1. Clinic Care

   •  Wrapped the animal in warm blankets or towels until it wakes from the anesthesia.
     During anesthesia, a pet's body temperature drops and the blankets are necessary to make him as comfortable as possible on waking.
     The veterinarian or staff at the clinic will monitor the dog until he is fully awake to ensure he is recovering as expected.
     

   Pain Relief

   •  Ensure your pet will be given pain relief immediately following the surgery and ask the doctor about pain relief medications you can provide to your pet during recovery at home.
     

   Instructions

   • Ensure that you follow the veterinarians instruction regarding when and how much to feed your dog and how much water it should consume. If you're taking the pet home immediately following surgery, ask the doctor how long you should wait before offering her water. It's also important to administer any medications according to the doctor's instructions.
     

   Limits

   • If your dog is released from the clinic shortly after the procedure, it may still be under the effects of anesthesia. It may not have a good sense of balance or direction. To prevent her from falling and injuring itself, keep it confined until the drugs have left it system.
     Your dog will need to stay indoors for at least a week following surgery, perhaps longer depending upon her exact condition and the specific procedure performed.

2. Monitoring

   • Some dogs will chew or lick on their surgical incision when it starts to heal. Monitor your dog's incision site and prevent her from chewing on the area. Your dog may need to wear an Elizabethan collar, which is designed to prevent her from reaching the incision site, if you are away and unable to monitor it activity. If the incision site swells, has discharge or bleeding, you should contact your veterinarian.
     
     

     Is it okay for my pet to lick the incision?

     • If a dog licks the incision, the healing process may be delayed.
     • Licking can remove stitches and cause the incision to open
     • Licking can become a severe habit that is difficult to break
     • Licking can cause infection as the mouth has many bacteria
     • Dogs will frequently lick the incision when the owner is not watching such as at night time; if the skin looks red or excoriated the most common cause is from licking.
     • To stop your pet from licking the following can be tried:
       • Elizabethan collar can be placed on the neck; this will not help stop your pet from scratching at the region
       • Cervical collar (bite not collar) is a less awkward device and can be effective at stopping a pet from licking the surgical site
       • A tee shirt can be used to cover an incision on the chest or front part of the abdomen; gather the waist of the shirt up over the dog's back and wrap an elastic band around this part of the shirt.
       • A bandage or sock can be used to cover an incision on a limb; fasten the top of the sock to the dog's limb with tape.
       • Antipsychotic medication in some cases is needed

 Refer:http://www.ehow.com/way_5348625_postoperative-care-dogs.html
http://www.vetsurgerycentral.com/hernia.htm

Heartworm Disease in Cats-Different but dangerous

About Heart worm Disease
Heartworm disease is caused by a parasite that lives mainly in the blood vessels of the lungs. Cats are not a natural host for heartworm, but tend to develop severe and potentially fatal disease even when only a single worm is present.
Heartworm disease has been seen in several species, but dogs are very susceptible. It can be fetal and is difficult to treat, but fortunately heartworm disease is easy to prevent.

Transmission of Feline Heartworm Disease
Feline heartworm is transmitted by an infected mosquito bite. Cats are susceptible to hearthworm disease even when kept indoors, as mosquitoes can fly find their way into the house. When the mosquito bites the cat to take its blood meal, it introduces the heartworm larva into the cats bloodstream. These larval heatworms invade the blood vessels in the lungs. These larval heartworms are capable of reproducing within 8 months of developing as adults. As they grow into adults they lodge themselves into the lungs and heart of the cat. Cats tend to have lower worm population then canines, as they have a stronger immune system. The damage by these parasites is still severe in cats and can cause death.

Risk Factors for Heart worm
Exposure to mosquitoes carrying microfilariae is the main risk for infection. Even indoor cats are at risk, because mosquitoes are notoriously difficult to keep out of the home.
Signs and Symptoms of Heartworm Disease in Cats

• Coughing
• Labored or rapid breathing
• Weight loss
• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Rarely, other signs can be seen, such as fluid accumulation in the abdomen, fainting, and neurological signs such as in coordination and seizures.
• Sudden severe breathing problems, collapse, shock, and/or sudden death can occur in some cases

Diagnosis of Heartworm Disease

Microfilarial tests:This test can detect the microfilaria worms in blood by observing under microscope.

Antibody Test: This test is used to detect the antibodies made by the cat's immune system against the heartworm antigen. This test is not very reliable as it may test positive for a previous heartworm infection that has cleared up.

Antigen Test: This test helps in detecting presence of antigen in the blood. It may give false results as it detects the presence of only female heartworm. It may test negative results if the cat is infected by male or immature worms.

Echocardiogram and Radiography: Ultrasound may help detect presence of heartworms. Radiography helps detecting enlarged pulmonary arteries and enlarged right side of the heart and lung changes due to presence of heartworm.
Prevention of Feline Heart worm
It is always advisable to take your feline friend for regular veterinarian visits. Early diagnosis and treatment is always better than cure. You can always hope that the worm lives out it's lifespan within your cat without causing any major complications. A healthy cat is a 'purrrr..fect' pet.

Refer-

http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/diseasesandconditions/a/CW-Heartworm.htm
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/heartworm-in-cats-feline-heartworm.html