Animals recovering from anesthesia should be rotated from side to side hourly until they are able to maintain sternal recumbancy. They should not be left unattended until they have recovered consciousness. Fluids need to be administered twice daily to animals which are not eating and drinking postoperatively. In laboratory rodents, fluids may be given parenterally, either subcutaneously or intraperitoneally. Lactated ringers solution or equivalent should be utilized.
Adequate nutrition is necessary in the healing animal patient.
Caloric replacement should be instituted for animals that have not resumed eating by the second postoperative day. Caloric replacement may require supplemental feedings using specialized dietary formulations and feeding methods. The incision must be examined daily for evidence of wound dehiscence or infection until it is completely healed. Nonabsorbable sutures or wound clips should be removed 8-10 days postoperatively. Analgesics should be utilized in animals which demonstrate pain related behavior, e.g., guarding of the incision, reluctance to move, anorexia, absence of normal behavior patterns, etc.