Post-surgery chest drain in dogs

[ADogQuestion]

My dog is having surgery soon - hopefully in and out as a day case - but we’ve been warned he might have chest drain/s in for a few days.

his wound will be approx eight inches long with lots of stitches.

I’m a little daunted by the post op care if he does end up with a chest drain. What will we need to do to keep them clean/manage it/them. How long are they likely to be in and will they cause him pain?

I will obviously check all this when we bring him home from the vet, but could do with experience/reassurance from others who have dealt with this.

The vet or nurse discharging him will go through everything you need to know and you’ll probably be given a printout of how to care for the drain plus any problems to watch out for. It’s best to make a list of questions to take with you too.

Thank you, that’s good advice, it would be all too easy to forget things in the flurry of drop off etc