Hopefully, the only time your dog will require surgery is for desexing. Keep these points in mind to ensure a speedy recovery.

You're obviously going to be concerned about your canine companion going 'under the knife', but most operations a dog faces are completely routine - meaning you only have to worry about helping him recover as quickly as possible.
Your vet will give you specific advice relating to your dog's condition, check-up dates and post-surgical medication, but in general, dogs will normally take 24-48 hours before they are back to normal following an anaesthetic, and they spend most of that time sleeping.

With that in mind, make sure your dog's bed is placed inside, in a warm, draught-free place where he or she won't be disturbed, especially if there are young children or other animals in the house.

Dogs, like humans, can feel very nauseous after waking up from an anaesthetic. So after an operation, give your dog a small evening meal of something light, such as cooked chicken or fish.

If that's not possible, then feed just a quarter of the food you would normally provide. Make sure your dog has access to clean, fresh water at all times.

Your dog must be kept on a lead and only allowed the minimum amount of exercise - ideally just a walk in the garden to go to the toilet - until a few days after the stitches have been removed. Jumping onto furniture and going up and down steps should be discouraged.

Check your dog's stitches daily and tell your vet about any swelling, persistent discharge or bleeding. Stitches are usually removed after about 10 days, although this will vary according to the type of operation and the area where the stitches have been made. Some stitches are hidden under the skin and dissolve naturally.

It is very important that you keep bandages dry or they can cause further damage. When your dog goes outside, try taping a plastic bag over the bandage. A drip bag from the vet is an even better option, as it's made of tough material to last longer.

Keep in mind, though, that it's dangerous to leave a plastic bag on your dog's foot for too long, as moisture can build up inside and cause rot. So remove the bag as soon as your dog comes back inside.

Alternatively, keep your dog inside until the bandage is removed. Look out for unpleasant odours, discolouration, swelling above or below the bandage, limping or pain.

Plastic collars in the shape of a funnel, known as Elizabethan or Buster collars, are designed to prevent dogs from licking, biting or scratching their wounds. It's important that the collar is left on at all times, especially at night and whenever your dog is alone.

Your brave pet will soon get used to wearing the new 'accessory', but make sure it doesn't hinder eating or drinking, or you will need to remove it at meal times.

It is very important that you go back to the vet on the specified check-up date - or earlier if you are concerned about something.