The care of post-operation cases will depend to a large extent on the nature and severity of the operation, and whether surgical measures have been carried out as the culmination of a long, serious illness or in a dog whose general condition is excellent. Constitutional disturbance is either absent or very slight where a minor operation is performed (i.e., to correct inverted eyelids) but may be very great in a serious abdominal condition.

If the dog needs much in the way of skilled attention—difficult dressings, stimulants, and so on—he will probably be kept at the veterinary hospital or clinic as long as these are required. Similarly, if the dog’s post-operative condition is such that removal would be dangerous he will be kept until it is safe for him to return to his owner. Dogs, particularly pet dogs, usually recover more quickly at home, and veterinary surgeons for this reason try to return an animal as speedily as possible. The anxious amateur nurse may have the dog’s care on her hands sooner than she imagined!

If feasible, she should try to find out at the hospital whether the dog has to be kept as much at rest as possible, and what his general condition is. Dogs, unlike human patients, are not confined to bed as a rule after an operation unless they are so weak or shocked that rest and quiet are essential, in which case they will be kept in the hospital. Movement within reason is beneficial, and recent research has shown that human patients, too, are often better if exercise is encouraged from the start.

The bedding for a post-operative case should be freshly laundered—a light-coloured or white blanket is useful.

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When it comes to puppy grooming, do not ignore proper eye care and safety. Some dog owners forget the little things when it comes to grooming their pet which can result in health problems in the future. Below are a few puppy eye-care pointers.

1. Guarding your puppy’s eyes from injury is important so be sure to be overly conscious of your puppy’s head when you are playing games that have potential consequences for injury to the eyes. Some example games to be careful of would be when you are kicking a ball around with your pup, playing fetch with a stick, or simply play-wrestling by using your hands.

2. Each and every morning, examine your dog’s eyes and wipe away any of that “morning crust” that builds up overnight. If this crust is left unchecked and builds up, your puppy can experience a very irritating and painful reaction. Use warm water and a soft cloth to wipe the eyes clean.

3. If your dog has very long hair because of his breed type, do your best to trim around his eyes. I realize that there are some breeds out there who are supposed to have long hair covering or overlapping the eyes, but this can cause irritation if the hair is constantly rubbing inside of the eyeball. Just use your best judgment and try to err on the side of your dog’s health as opposed to his appearance.

4. When bathing your dog, try to avoid squirting shampoo and flee chemicals directly on top of his head. Even if you are being extremely careful, there is always a chance that some of this material will spray in his eyes. Gently rub the shampoo into your hand and then over your dog’s scalp and surrounding face areas. This will avoid potential eye irritation.

5. When bringing your dog along for a car ride, avoid the temptation to let him hang his head out of the window. I know it is a joy to watch your pet having so much fun as you are driving along, but there have been many serious eye injuries, and even the loss of an eyeball due to a small pebble or rock hitting the dog’s face. I don’t know about you, but that is not something I would want to risk at all.

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