Risk factors, warning signs and wound cleansing after surgery
Postoperative wound care begins after every surgical procedure. The aim is to avoid disrupting physiological wound healing, to recognise complications early and to keep the risk of wound infection low. This article gives an overview for dogs, cats and horses and places wound cleansing in context.
Why is the postoperative phase important?
Castration, tumour removal, orthopaedic procedures and the management of traumatic injuries are part of everyday practice. Even under aseptic conditions, contamination cannot be ruled out completely. Microorganisms can enter the surgical site during the procedure, or reach the wound later from the environment, the skin, licking or manipulation.
Postoperative care includes:
- regular wound checks
- cleansing as required
- protection from renewed contamination and self-trauma (for example a collar or bandage)
- monitoring of the healing course
Which measures are appropriate depends on the procedure, wound location, degree of contamination and the patient's risk.
Postoperative wound infections
Surgical site infections (SSI) are among the relevant complications. They can involve skin and subcutis, but also deeper tissues and implants. An infection can delay wound healing, require additional measures and, in the worst case, lead to further surgery. Epidemiological data for dogs and cats are available (Brown et al. 1997).
Risk factors
Risk depends on the interplay of several factors, for example:
- degree of contamination of the procedure (wound classification)
- duration of anaesthesia and surgery
- implants and foreign material
- concurrent disease and the patient's immune status
- tissue handling and surgical technique
- licking, scratching or manipulation of the wound by the animal
The hygiene concept starts before surgery with patient preparation and continues during surgery with aseptic technique. Not every surgical wound needs the same aftercare. A primarily closed, uncomplicated incision requires different care from a contaminated or open wound with tissue loss.
Warning signs at wound checks
- increasing redness, swelling or warmth
- increased or purulent discharge, odour
- pain
- wound dehiscence
- systemic signs such as fever or reduced general condition
These findings require veterinary assessment.
Wound irrigation after surgery
Irrigation is part of local wound management, particularly for open or contaminated wounds. It mechanically removes loose debris, exudate and residues. This cleans the wound surface and makes the wound bed easier to assess.
When choosing an irrigation solution, consider tissue tolerance, frequency of use and the wound situation. Sterile isotonic saline is an established option for the mechanical cleansing of many wounds.
Irrigation does not replace the removal of foreign material and devitalised tissue, the surgical management of an abscess or systemic antibiotics for a deep infection. Nor is it infection control.
Antibiotics and wound management
With antimicrobial resistance increasing, responsible antibiotic use matters in veterinary medicine too. Whether systemic antibiotics are needed is decided on the basis of clinical findings, the type and extent of infection and, where appropriate, microbiological testing. Perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis follows current guidelines and the individual risk of the procedure (for example ENOVAT 2025).
Conclusion
Postoperative wound care rests on hygiene, cleansing as required, protection from renewed contamination and regular checks. The choice of rinsing solution or wound dressing depends on the state of the wound, the procedure and the available evidence. Responsibility for diagnostics and management lies with the veterinarian.
References
- Brown DC, Conzemius MG, Shofer F, Swann H. Epidemiologic evaluation of postoperative wound infections in dogs and cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1997;210(9):1302-1306. PMID: 9143534.
- Allerton F, Sørensen TM, Scahill K, et al.; ENOVAT and ESGVM. European Network for Optimization of Veterinary Antimicrobial Therapy (ENOVAT) 2025 guidelines for surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis in dogs and cats. J Small Anim Pract. 2026;67:383-405. doi: 10.1111/jsap.70072.