Surgery | Post-Surgical Instructions
Food and water
Anesthesia can make your pet very thirsty and, if given the chance, your pet may drink too much, causing him or her to vomit. Start by giving small amounts of tepid water when you get home; if that stays down, you can offer small amounts at a time for the rest of the evening. It is best to wait for 12 hours after taking your pet home before offering any food. When you do offer food, give small amounts at a time for the first 24-hour period, then you can offer food as normal. If your pet vomits, withhold food and water for 12 hours and then offer small amounts. If he or she is still vomiting once food and water is withheld, please give us a call.
EXCEPTION!
Puppies or kittens that are spayed or neutered at less than 12 weeks of age should be fed a small meal within hours of surgery if they are able to keep water down and have fully recovered from surgery.
The next 10-14 days
If you notice any licking at the incision site, please call us or come into the clinic so we can address the issue. Untimely removal of the sutures or opening of the incision can have very serious consequences for your pet. If your pet is licking or chewing at the incision site, he or she may need an Elizabethan collar.
It is required to restrict your pets' activity for at least 10 days after surgery while sutures are present and healing. For dogs, this means leash walks only! No running or jumping and no romping in the woods or back yard. For cats, this means being confined indoors for at least 10 days post surgery. We understand that this type of restriction is especially difficult for young animals, so do your best—it's important for normal healing. If your pet is too active, swelling may occur at the incision site. This is fairly normal, but give us a call if swelling or discharge does occur.
If your pet has skin sutures, they should be removed 10-14 days after surgery. Please do not bathe your pet until the sutures are removed.
Hormones will circulate in you pet for months after being altered. Females that were in heat may continue to show signs and have small amounts of blood in the area of the vulva for a few days. Males may continue to display intact characteristics (marking, roaming, aggressive behavior) for quite some time after being altered.
Contact the hospital
- —If there is more than a small amount of blood in the vulva area of females for more than 48 hours post surgery.
- —If there is any discharge from the incision site.
- —If your pet removes any of his/her sutures or is licking the area frequently.
- —If your pet is lethargic for more than 36 hours after surgery.
- —If your pet is not eating within 48 hours after surgery.
- —If your pet is not drinking within 24 hours after surgery.
- —If your pet does not urinate within 12 hours or have a bowel movement within 72 hours after surgery.
- —If your pet is vomiting the day after the surgery.