Post-Operative Instructions

Your pet has undergone general anesthesia and surgical sterilization. For the safety of you and your animal, we recommend the following aftercare instructions be reviewed and followed.  DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL  If you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s condition after surgery, please call our office at (480) 821-7380. If we are closed or on the other line please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.  Please call your local full-service veterinarian or emergency hospital for after hour emergencies, refer to the number listed at the bottom of this page.  

1. Due to the lingering effects of anesthesia, your pet may be sedated or groggy this evening. Sedation may last 24 hours. Your pet may be glassy-eyed, wobbly, shivering, nauseous, or irritable. Cats especially can be confused and become aggressive. We recommend confining your pet to a bathroom or bedroom for the first 24 hours after surgery.
   
2. A slight cough from the tracheal tube may be noticed as well as excessive eye discharge from the eye lubricant that is administered during  anesthesia.
   
3. Your pet needs to be kept indoors after surgery. This will allow you to closely monitor your pet’s recovery and will prevent complications and possible death from exposure to outdoor temperature extremes.
   
4. Restrict activity for the next 5-7 days – no running, jumping, playing. Keep pets on a leash when outside. Take stairs slowly. After the initial five to seven days of rest, slowly increase the amount of activity allowed over the second week.
   
5. You may give small amounts of your pet’s normal food and water to them, once you get your pet home and throughout the evening. Your pet may have their normal amount of food and water the next day. If you need to offer treats or wet food to entice your pets appetite that is okay. Some dogs experience nausea after general anesthesia, vomiting the first night after surgery is normal. If your pet has vomited or seems nauseated withhold food/water for a few hours. Your pet may only eat/drink a small amount the first night after surgery. Giving your pet their first dose of pain medication the next morning on an empty stomach may cause or increase existing nausea. Please try and get your pet to eat, even small amounts,  before giving pain medication. DO NOT CONTINUE GIVING PAIN MEDICATION IF PET HAS BEEN VOMITING OR HAS STOPPED EATING.
   
6. We require the purchase of an E-Collar for your pet in order to avoid any licking or chewing to the incision site. Keep the E-Collar on for the  full 10-14 days. If you purchase an E-Collar outside of our hospital, it needs to extend 2-3 inches past your pet’s nose.
   
7. Check  the incision daily. Some redness, swelling, minor bruising and/or a hard lump at the incision site can be a normal reaction to the suture material. If this reaction occurs, it should subside in a few weeks. If you notice your pet's incision is open or oozing please call us immediately.
   
8. No bathing, swimming or grooming for 10-14 days after surgery. Your pet has absorbable sutures, and if wet this could cause the surgical glue and sutures to prematurely dissolve.  Gently towel dry the incision site if your pet becomes wet. If the incision opens, call us for further instructions. Do not put any topical medications, bandages, or adhesives on your pet's surgical site.
   
9. Only give the medications that have been prescribed for your pet by the veterinarian at today's visit. Many over-the-counter human products are toxic to dogs and cats. Tylenol (acetaminophen) and aspirin can be deadly.​

If your pet is a male, they remain fertile for 3-4 weeks after surgery – keep him away from intact female dogs.

If your pet is female, they may try to breed for 2 weeks after surgery. This is very dangerous to her – keep her away from other male dogs.

​​​We are NOT a 24 hour care facility. For after hour questions or emergencies please contact the following 24 hour pet emergency hospital. We are not responsible for cost of services obtained at another clinic or hospital.

Arizona Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Center      Phone:  480-497-0222   

86 W. Juniper Ave, Gilbert, AZ 85233