Pookie goes in for his dental tomorrow. I'm a bit nervous, even knowing it has to be done. I'm not worried so much about the surgery, but giving him his meds when he's home and making sure he gets enough calories during his recovery, esp. since he's a bit overweight. I was wondering:
1. When would I be able to give him some RadCat (which is really soupy)? Should I wait a couple of days before giving him any raw?
2. Is there a store-brand chicken broth you could recommend? Every one I looked at included onion and garlic. I thought it might be handy to have to follow his meds, or at least add some flavor to his food if his appetite is off. I really don't want to use tuna juice.
3. How accurate are baby food labels? I picked up a jar of turkey and jar of chicken, also as encouragement. I've never given him baby food, though. The labels only said turkey or chicken -- is it safe to assUme that they don't contain anything else?
4. I did get the FortiFlora, so worst case scenario I can add that to his food to entice him if needed. He LOVES it.
5. I'm also going to have them check to see if his anal glands need expressing. Now and then, he'll leave a smudge where he's sitting. Please refresh my memory -- does he need water added to his food, or more fiber? I don't think it was happening when I was giving him pumpkin for the hairballs this summer, but I don't want to give him pumpkin anymore. (Side note: the holistic vet suggested psyllium for the hairballs. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that, though).
For further down the road, I was also thinking of giving him hardboiled (free-range) eggs. I have them a lot, and he seemed to like it when I gave him a taste. Would 1 egg = 1 meal? I have no idea how many calories that would be.
It might be soft enough to give him during his recovery, esp. if I mash it up for him. Thoughts?
I have to remember to ask if the buprenorphine is available in tablet form, or if it can be mixed in his food. Giving him liquid meds just doesn't work.
Any tips you all may have regarding his post-op care would be greatly appreciated, as well as what I can expect when he's home. He's never had surgery before, and his sister had a dental but that was years ago. Thanks in advance!