We asked Dr. David Salazar, DVM, of Salazar Veterinary Hospital, whether a wipe-clean, laundry-free bed helps during post-surgical recovery. His full answer, and what to do the day your dog comes home.
Dr. David Salazar, DVM, Salazar Veterinary Hospital
The day after surgery is the day nobody plans for.
You have the meds, the cone, the follow-up appointment. What you usually do not have is a clean place for your dog to lie down that will still be clean tomorrow.
We asked Dr. David Salazar, DVM, of Salazar Veterinary Hospital, whether a wipe-clean, hypoallergenic, laundry-free bed could make a real difference during post-surgical recovery, for the pet and for the person looking after it. This is his answer, in full:
“A wipe-clean, hypoallergenic, laundry-free pet bed can be meaningful for post-surgical recovery. The ease of cleaning can be beneficial as the surface can be disinfected minimizing possible contamination and a possible source of infection. The comforting support may reduce stress which is helpful in the healing process. Some pets can be sensitive to detergents and being as this product is hypoallergenic it can help with minimizing possible skin inflammation which would delay the healing process.
From a care giver standpoint this would allow more time to be devoted to their loving pet instead of having to worry about laundry. In a time and age in which time is valuable for everyone this would allow for quick, easy cleaning which reduces stress on both the pet and care giver.”
Three things in that answer worth slowing down on
“The surface can be disinfected.” A fabric bed cannot be disinfected. It can be washed, which is not the same thing, and it takes hours. The Birchwood & Bark® bed has a medical grade composite cover, no PU, no PVC, that you wipe with whatever your vet told you to use. A bleach dilution is fine. It is the same reason clinics use hard, non-porous surfaces.
“Sensitive to detergents.” A healing incision does not want to lie on fabric that has just come out of a washing machine. With no fabric and no laundry, there is no detergent residue to react to.
“Time to be devoted to their loving pet.” This is the one owners feel. Recovery is already a lot. Taking laundry off the list is not a small thing.
Support while they heal
Dr. Salazar mentions “comforting support.” Inside the cover is furniture-grade support foam, the density sofa makers use, with a memory foam comfort layer on top. It holds its shape under a heavy dog and does not bottom out. For a dog that is stiff, sore and told to rest, that matters.
The foam is CertiPUR-US® certified and made in an OEKO-TEX® STeP Level 3 facility.
What to do the day they come home
- Put the bed somewhere quiet and low, with no jumping required.
- Put an Eco-Cover on it. If there is any drainage, the sheet catches it. Bin it, put on a fresh one.
- Wipe the cover down once a day with the cleaner your vet recommended.
- That is it. Go sit with your dog.
Thank you to Dr. Salazar for taking the time to look at the bed and write this out.
Birchwood & Bark® is a registered trademark. Patent pending.
