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Noah's Ark Boutique
At Noah's Ark Veterinary Hospital there is a boutique and arkwork which are for sale. The money for these items is given to the individuals which made/create the artwork. These individuals then donate back to the hospital for animals in need.
The
Forgotten
These felines were once "The Forgotten". Now they are life long companions adopted into loving homes. They have been given a "second chance" by generous caring individuals.
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Frequently Asked Questions
This collection of frequently asked questions (FAQ) provides brief answers to many common questions about veterinary services and a pet care.
Top Most Frequently Asked Questions
When should my dog have the first bowel movement after surgery?
Many dogs will not have a bowel movement for 2 to 3 days after surgery.
Reasons that a dog will not have regular bowel movements after surgery include:
- The dog has been fasted prior to surgery.
- Dogs may not eat well during the hospital stay.
- They frequently do not eat as well when the go home.
- They are fed highly digestible foods post-operatively that produces little stool.
- Pain medications can be constipating.
If a pet does not have a bowel movement on the 4th day of being home please call us.
My pet had surgery and will not eat. What can be done?
Dogs:
- Most pets will not eat their regular dog food after surgery, especially if it is kibble.
- Offer a cooked diet having a 1:1 ratio of a protein source and carbohydrate source. The protein source can be any meat (example: chicken breast, turkey breast) that is low fat and should be cooked and any residual fat skimmed off. The carbohydrate can be pasta, potato or white rice.
- Try canned dog food; to enhance the flavor mix it with chicken or beef broth (no onion in broth).
- Try Gerber strained meats for babies such as the chicken, beef, turkey, or veal.
- Try Hill's A/D diet available at our hospital.
- Hand feeding; place a small amount of food in the mouth so that they obtain the flavor.
- Warm the food slightly in a microwave as the food will be more aromatic; remember to stir the food before feeding and test the temperature on the bottom side of your wrist; it should only be luke warm.
- Remember that most pets likely will not eat the first day or two after they get home from surgery.
Cats:
- Offer smelly foods that contain fish such as tuna or smelly canned cat foods.
- Try Gerber strained meats for babies such as the chicken, beef, turkey or veal (ensure these contain no onion products).
- Hand feeding; place a small amount of food in the mouth so that they get the flavor.
- Warm the food slightly in a microwave as the food will be more aromatic; remember to stir the food before feeding and test the temperature with your finger; it should be only luke-warm.
- Some cats will only eat dry food, try kibble if your cat normally has been fed that food.
- Petting and stroking your cat frequently will help to stimulate appetite.
- Remember that most pets will not eat the first day or two after they get home from surgery.
- Appetite stimulants may be helpful, we can prescribe these.
- If your cat refuses to eat anything for 5 days she/he should be seen immediately.
My pet is vomiting now that he/she is at home. What can be done?
The first thing for you to discern is whether your pet is vomiting or regurgitating. Both will result in fluid or food being brought up. Vomiting always will have heaving or retching of the abdomen. Regurgitation is not associated with heaving and the pet usually just opens the mouth and fluid or food will be expelled. Next is to identify the cause of the vomiting or regurgitation.
Causes and treatment of vomiting after surgery:
- When some pets return home after a stay in the hospital they may drink excessive amounts of water at one time and then vomit; if this appears to be happening the water should be limited to frequent smaller amounts.
- Medications such as antibiotics or anti inflammatory drugs are common cause of vomiting after surgery. In order to see which medication is causing the problem the administration of each drug should be separated 2 hours apart. Usually the pet will vomit or appear nauseated (drooling and look sick) within 1 hour of administration of the medication to which they are sensitive. The antibiotic in some cases may be changed to a different one, or may be discontinued. The same may be the case with pain medication.
- Stomach upset from anesthesia is a potential cause of vomiting and will pass within a couple of days.
- Unusual cause of vomiting after surgery is internal organ failure. Blood testing will confirm this problem. For this reason vomiting should not be ignored if it persists for more than 24 hours.
- If your pet had surgery of the bowels or stomach, vomiting is always a concern. Do not ignore this sign, but call us immediately.
- Symptomatic treatment of vomiting in older animals involves with holding food for 12 to 24 hours, then introducing small amounts of bland food such as rice and lean cooked hamburger. Never hesitate to call us if you have concerns.
Causes and treatment of regurgitation after surgery:
- The most common cause of regurgitation is reflux of acid from the stomach into the esophagus while your pet is under anesthesia. In most cases this is self-eliminating and will resolve within two or three days.
- Regurgitation also can be caused by a neuromuscular degeneration of the esophagus and this problem will persist. It is not associated with surgery, rather other underlying diseases.
- Symptomatic treatment of regurgitation caused by acid reflux includes feeding bland food, and administering a coating agent such as sucralfate. You should consult us if regurgitation occurs.
How do I know that my dog is in pain following surgery?
Signs of pain include:
- Crying
- Biting if you get near the surgical site
- Grimacing (lips are pulled back and the dog looks anxious)
- Tragic look of the face
- Restlessness and not wanting to sleep; pacing
If abdominal surgery was done the pet will not lie down on the incision, or will continually sit up in spite of appearing very tired.
What can be done for pain at home for my dog?
Our veterinarians will prescribe medications to ensure your pet is as comfortable as possible.
How do I know that my cat is in pain following surgery?
Pain is more difficult to assess in cats versus dogs as signs can be more subtle and they usually do not vocalize.
Signs of pain in a cat include the following:
- Biting if you get near the surgical site
- Growling or deep crying
- Not wanting to eat
- Hiding and not wanting to be near owner (remember that this could also be caused by the cat just being upset about leaving home and coming back)
What can be done for pain at home for my cat?
Our veterinarians will prescribe medications to ensure your pet is as comfortable as possible.
Can I give my pet over-the-counter human medications for pain or illness?
NO! Such medications can harm, or even kill, your pet. Their bodies are different from ours, and medications you and I take with little concern may react MUCH differently in your pet. While our pharmacy contains many human medicines, it is comprised of only those that will not harm your pet.
Is it okay for my pet to lick the incision?
If a dog licks his incision it will actually delay the healing process because they usually lick too much and traumatize the area.
Licking can remove stitches and cause the incision to open and this can become a severe habit that is difficult to break and may also 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 irritate 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.
- If the incision is over the chest a tee shirt can be put on your pet and the waist of the shirt fastened in place with an ace bandage or duct tape.
- If the incision is over the paw or lower limb a bandage or sock could be put on and kept in place with tape.
- Bitter apple can be applied around the incision; many dogs will continue to lick after application of this topical.
- Bitter Apple can be applied next to the incision.
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