NACA Animal Control Officers Practice Test

What should be restricted during post-surgical care?

1. Warmth and comfort

2. Communication with the veterinarian

3. Exercise activities

4. Intake of fluids

The correct answer is: Exercise activities

During post-surgical care, it is essential to restrict exercise activities. This restriction is crucial because after surgery, an animal's body is in a vulnerable state as it begins to heal. Engaging in exercise can elevate heart rates and blood pressure, potentially leading to complications such as excessive bleeding, opening of sutures, or delayed healing. The animal may also be disoriented from anesthesia, making them more prone to injury if permitted to move freely. While warmth and comfort are important aspects of post-surgical care that should be maintained, and communication with the veterinarian is necessary for monitoring the animal's recovery, it is primarily the limitation of exercise that ensures the surgical site remains stable and the recovery process proceeds as smoothly as possible. Additionally, the intake of fluids, depending on the surgery and the veterinarian’s recommendations, might be restricted but not universally; hence, exercise activities are a more consistent and critical restriction across various cases.