Post-Operative Instructions
What to expect when you get your pet home
The healing process usually takes 7-10 days. During this recovery time it is very important that you keep a close eye on your pet and prevent them from running, jumping, playing, swimming, or other strenuous activity. To avoid injury, dogs must be walked on a leash.
For 7-10 days following surgery, pets must be kept indoors where they can stay clean, dry, and warm. Do not bathe your pet during the recovery period.
Surgery Site
Female dogs and cats have a mid-line incision in their abdomen. Male dogs have an incision just above the scrotum and male cats have two incisions, one in each side of the scrotum. Check the incision site at least twice daily.
What you see today is what we consider normal. There should be no drainage. Redness and swelling should be minimal. Male cats may appear as if they still have testicles. This is normal, the swelling should subside gradually through the recovery period. DO NOT ALLOW YOUR PET TO LICK OR CHEW AT THE INCISION. If this occurs, we recommend you purchase Bitter Apple spray to deter licking and chewing. If this does not deter them, an Elizabethan collar (“E-collar”) must be applied to prevent them from being able to reach the area.
Your pet has received pain medication. Male dogs have received a post-operative steroidal anti-inflammatory injection.
Female Pets In Heat
If your female dog or cat was in heat at the time of surgery, you must keep them away from un-neutered males for at least two weeks. While they are unable to become pregnant, they will still attract intact males, for a short period of time. If a male tries to mate with her serious bleeding and trauma to the reproductive tract may occur, possibly leading to death.
Sutures
Unless you are told otherwise, your pet does not have external sutures. All sutures are absorbable on the inside and the very outer layer of skin is held together with surgical glue. Do not clean or apply topical ointment to the incision site. If you are told that your pet has skin sutures or skin staples, they will need to return in 7-10 days to have those removed. Male cats do not have any sutures.
Activity
Some animals are active after surgery, while others are quiet. It is very important that you limit your pet's activity for the next 7-10 days. No running, jumping, playing, swimming, or other strenuous activity during the 7-10 day recovery period. Dogs must be walked on a leash and cats must be kept inside. Keep your pet quiet.
Dogs and female cats have internal and external sutures that provide strength to the tissue as they heal. Any strenuous activity could disrupt this healing process. The healing process takes at least 7 days.
Feeding
Your pet should have a small snack the night of surgery. Their appetite should return gradually within 24 hours of surgery. Lethargy lasting for more than 24 hours after surgery, diarrhea, or vomiting are not normal and you should contact us immediately. Do not change your pet's diet at this time and do not give junk food, table scraps, milk or any other people food for a period of one week. This could mask post-surgical complications.
What to Look For
Spaying and neutering are very safe surgeries; however, complications can occur. Minimal redness and swelling should resolve within several days. If it persists longer, please contact us. Please contact us immediately if you notice any of the following:
- pale gums
- depression
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- discharge or bleeding from the incision
- difficulty urinating
- labored breathing
If you have any questions or concerns directly related to the surgery during the recovery time period, please do not hesitate to contact the clinic at 334-239-7387 (PETS). After hours our clinic phones are forwarded to our Lead Veterinary Assistant who can address any concerns you may have. If you have an issue that needs to be seen by a veterinarian after hours, you will be referred to our emergency veterinarian.
If the above post-op instructions are completely followed, the Alabama Animal Alliance Spay/Neuter Clinic will treat at our clinic, at minimal cost, any post-op complications resulting directly from the surgery. Your regular veterinarian must address illnesses or injuries that are not a direct result of surgery. Please call for an appointment as soon as you see cause for concern. We cannot be held responsible for any animals requiring attention after our business hours. We cannot be held responsible for complications resulting from a failure to follow post-op instructions or for contagious diseases that the animal was not previously properly vaccinated.
