Pet Care After Spay or Neuter Surgery

POST OPERATIVE SURGERY INSTRUCTIONS:



Your pet has just experienced a surgical procedure. The following is a detailed list of proper care and precautions that are recommended to reduce complications, such as prolonged healing time, incision problems, and infection, from occurring. 

E-COLLAR

Please keep an e-collar on your pet for 14 days. Check your cone when you get home. You can do this by pushing the cone back to the shoulders and lift your pets head upwards. If nose goes past the cone, they can reach their incision. If your cone is not properly fitted, you can gently tie or tape a folded towel around their neck to keep cone pushed forward to reach past the nose. You can also thread their collar through the loops of the cone for a more secure fit.
*Please note: Male cats do not receive an e-collar.

REDUCE ACTIVITY

Reduce your pet's activity for at least 10 days. No running, jumping, playing, walks or bathing during this time. Failure to reduce your pet's activity for at least 10 days can result in an opening of the incision and can lead to infection.

KEEP INDOORS/DESIGNATE A CONFINED SPACE

Be sure to keep a close eye on your pet during this time. During the healing process, your pet may become itchy, and your pet will try to lick and scratch the surgical area. Dogs and cats cannot regulate their body temperature after anesthesia, therefore outdoor pets must be kept indoors for at least 48 hours and preferably until they are completely healed. We recommend confining your pet to a crate (with a litter box for cats), a bathroom, laundry room or other small room with his/her cone on during this time. If you own more than pet PLEASE keep them separated for at least 10 days to avoid your additional pet licking the others incision.

PAIN MEDICATION

FOR DOGS: A pain injection was given to your pet at the time of surgery and will last roughly 12-24 hours. Pain and anti-inflammatory medication has been sent home with you to start the morning after surgery. This medication is to be given every 12 hours by mouth for 3 days. It is recommended to give medication with food to reduce nausea and vomiting. Do not give human medication to your pet. It is dangerous and can be fatal. 

FOR CATS: Your cat was given a pain injection at the time of surgery and will last 3 days. If you purchased Onsior for additional pain relief, please start on the 4th day after surgery in the evening. If your cat will not willingly take the medication, you can try putting it in their food or using pill pockets. A pill shooter can be purchased at your local pet store and can be used if any of the above methods are unsuccessful. 

POTTY BREAKS 

FOR DOGS: We recommend bringing your pet on a leash during restroom breaks, and then immediately returning them to their designated confinement area to rest. 

FOR CATS: We recommend changing your pet's litter to a non-granulated form, such as newspaper shredding or absorbable pellets for at least 5 days. This will reduce the likelihood of small granules of litter from entering the incision when your pet uses the litter box. 

FEEDING

Your pet may be drowsy the day of and the day after their procedure. Due to this, their appetite is decreased. Please offer your pet no more than half of their typical meal the night of, and the morning after. Do not change the your pets diet at this time, do not give them treats, table scraps, milk, or any other people food during the recovery period. Feeding them their regular diet will help avoid gastrointestinal upset and reduce vomiting and diarrhea. Your pets appetite should return back to normal within 24-36 hours after surgery, and their normal scheduled feeding can continue at that time.

WHAT IS NORMAL?

MALE: Swelling and bruising in males is normal after surgery. In male cats only, the incision on the scrotum is left open to allow for drainage and therefore an e-collar is not required. Monitor for increased scrotum swelling in males and any abnormal or excessive discharge, odor, redness, or opening. 

FEMALE: Swelling and redness is normal but should be minimal. Monitor for any bleeding, discharge, or abnormal smell coming from the incision site. Check the incision site twice daily. A knot under the skin is normal after the incision has healed. The sutures are absorbable and will disappear throughout the healing process. Your pet does not need to come back to the clinic to have the sutures removed. 

KEEP PETS SEPERATED

Be sure to keep unspayed females and unneutered males separate from your pet for at least 30 days. Keep all other household pets separate from your pet during their recovery period.

EMERGENCY

If you notice pale gums, depression, abnormal discharge/bleeding from the incision or labored breathing, please contact us immediately at 754-444-8387. If it is after hours and we cannot be reached, please contact an ER hospital closest to you.