After the Vet Visit: The At Home Care Instructions

Imagine with me...it's 2 am and you  just got home from an emergency visit to the veterinary hospital.  "Lucky", your 2 year old black lab, was running in the yard and cut a tendon in his leg on the lawn edging.  You make it back home with his fresh bandage, e-collar, and a bag with pills in it and all you want to do is fall into bed.  When you wake in the morning your late night saga comes rushing back and you vaguely remember that "Lucky" needs a dose of medicine.  But you can't quite remember what to do.

Does that sound familiar?  Perhaps a different scenario, but the part about being confused about medicine or bandage changes, follow-up visits or food restrictions might resonate with you.  It can be confusing, and maybe even overwhelming, to get a sick or injured pet back home and be responsible for his/her care.  The important thing is to make sure before leaving the hospital that the instructions are written down and you ask questions.  Then never hesitate to call your Veterinarian's office if you don't understand the instructions.

Here are some typical home care instructions and why it is important to follow them:

1.  Medication instructions:  Most medications have a very specific amount and administration frequency to ensure the best outcomes for your pet.  It is important that you follow those instructions.  For instance, check if it needs to be refrigerated, whether the medicine should be given with food or on an empty stomach.  Read all instructions on the bottle and/or in the written instructions from your veterinarian.  If you are unsure, please call for clarification.  Also, if it appears your pets condition is not improving or you think the medicine isn't working consult with your veterinarian before increasing the amount or frequency of dose.  Increased doses could be harmful to your pet.

2.  Restrict Activity:  This is a tough one, but can be vitally important.  Fractured bones, deep or large cuts, stitches, neurological problems, etc are all conditions that may require one or more days of confinement for your pet so that healing can take place.  If your pet gets too active too quickly there is a greater possibility of added injury or longer healing time.  A crate, small room with a door, or quiet companion can all help to keep your pet from getting too rowdy.

3.  Bandage Instructions:  If your pet is sent home with a bandage the instructions will most likely include something like:

- Keep the bandage clean and dry.

- Check the toes twice a day for swelling. 

- Check the bandage for slippage, loosening, pain, limping, bleeding, heat, foul odor, etc.

- Check for rubbing or pressure sores at the top or bottom of the bandage/cast.

- Keep your pet from chewing at the bandage.

- The bandage should be checked by a Veterinarian in 3-5 days to reassess the wound and decide if the bandage needs to be replaced.

All these instructions are important to decrease the risk of infection and to increase the chances for healing.  If you are unsure call your vet and say "I don't know if this is a big deal or not, but".... and describe what is happening with the bandage and the area where the bandage is applied.  It's always better to ask.

4.  Elizabethan Collar or E-Collar:  We like to call them their "party hat"!  Not many pets like their party hat, but it is important to keep it on.  Pets have a propensity for chewing on bandages or ripping out sutures if left with access to the wound.  They may also try to lick a painful area excessively which can aggravate and cause additional problems.  So the longer they can wear the party hat the better.

5.  Diet Restrictions or Changes:  Often, if an animal comes in for vomiting and diarrhea the veterinarian will recommend restricting access to food or water for a short period.  This can help the pet feel better and can also be an indication of underlying causes should the conditions continue.  Other types of diet changes may include feeding a bland diet of rice or boiled chicken or perhaps adding some sort of fiber to the diet.  These instructions are important and should be followed as close as possible.  

6.  Re-check:  If you take your pet to an animal ER it is always good to call your family veterinarian to let them know about the visit and make sure they got a copy of the medical record.  You might also need to follow-up with bandage changes, staple or suture removals, or additional diagnostics.  Your family veterinarian can help with the follow-up care.  Re-checks and bandage changes are important to ensure a safe and full recovery or to find out sooner than later that maybe additional or different medications are needed or that the wound needs additional care.  Be sure to get back to a veterinarian if a re-check is recommended.

Abscess - No fun for Dogs or Cats

Have you experienced an abscess on your cat or dog?  If you have, then you know that they can kind of sneak up on you.  One day "Lucky" is playing and energetic and the next he's lethargic, lame, and seems almost depressed.  When you start running your hand over his body you might find a area that is raised and warm; and when touched your pet will pull away or look at you funny like he's saying "hey, that hurts!"

One of the possible reasons for the swelling is an abscess - a pocket of pus that has built up in defense of bacteria from a puncture wound, foreign material, insect bite, or parasite under the skin.  As a defense mechanism your animal's body produces lots of white blood cells to fight the bacteria.  As the white blood cells die off the pus forms.  Eventually the skin becomes thin and ruptures allowing the pus to disperse and healing to start in the area.  But that doesn't always happen.  The abscess can get large and very painful and will need treatment from a veterinarian.

Cats are especially prone to abscesses.  During a cat fight if a deep scratch or bite wound is inflicted on your cat the outside of the wound will tend to form a scab quickly.  Unfortunately, the scab seals in the bacteria and sets up the perfect conditions for an abscess.

Abscesses need to be drained in order to heal.  A trip to the veterinarian is the safest for a couple reasons.  First, the abscess can be evaluated to determine the extent of the infection and whether surgery is necessary to remove dead tissue and place multiple drains to allow the wound to heal.  Secondly, antibiotics will most likely be necessary to get rid of the bacterial infection.  Once the abscess is drained your pet will start feeling better very quickly since the pressure has been relieved and the infection cleaned out.  To keep "Lucky" from scratching or licking the area an Elizabethan collar may be required, depending on the location of the wound.

If your cat has been in a fight, examine him thoroughly from head to toe to locate any puncture wounds or deep scratches as these usually require antibiotics from your veterinarian to alleviate possible infection.  At home you will be instructed to clean the wounds and watch for any signs of infection. Place warm compresses on these areas 10-15 minutes 3-4 times per day to decrease the chances of an abscess forming.  The compresses increase blood flow to the area which increases the immune response.  If an abscess is immediately adjacent to the eye, the anus, or the genitals, or inside the ear don't try to treat at home.  Get your pet to the veterinary hospital right away.

The moral of the story...a drained abscess equals relief.