General Post Operative Instructions

1) Food-Water: Limit food and water until 1-2 hours after going home.

2) Exercise: We realize it may be difficult to restrict your pet's exercise. However, you should discourage your pet from jumping and vigorous activity for a period of 7 days after surgery.

3) Anesthetic: Each animal recovers from anesthetic at a different rate. Most animals are back to normal within 24 hours.

4) Bleeding: Sometimes a small amount of bruising may occur at the incision site. There should not be bleeding from the incision site.

5) Licking the Incision: Animals will often lick the incision site. This is usually due to itching caused by being closely shaven. Occasionally it may be as a result of the suture material. As long as the sutures are not pulled out, this licking is usually harmless. If you feel a problem is developing in this regard, please call the hospital.

6) Sutures: Return in 7-10 days to have sutures removed. There is no additional charge for this service. Please call for an appointment. Also, there are sutures under the skin that will dissolve on their own. Occasionally they cause a small, firm swelling that should go away in two to three weeks.

7) Please notify the hospital if your pet develops any of the following:
a. Repeated vomiting
b. Refusal to eat after 24 hours
c. Severe Pain
d. Continuous licking causing removal of sutures
e. There is a change in general health or behavior