Your pet may appear drowsy. This is because of the anaesthetic and should wear off during the next 24-hours. They will also have had painkillers to keep them comfortable post-operatively.
Your pet may also have been discharged with some pain medication to continue at home. Please read the label and instructions carefully and dose only as recommended.
If your pet has been given any antibiotic medication to continue at home, it is very important that you complete the course. If you are having difficulty administering medication, please contact us.
A clipped area may be present on one of your pets forelegs. This is where the anaesthetic was injected through an IV catheter. A little bruising in this area is not unusual and will recede with time. The hair will usually grow back in 4-6 weeks.
Your pet should be offered a small amount of light food (chicken, rice, fish, scrambled egg or a little of their normal food if they are on any special diets) and water when you get them home. They may already have had a small amount of food while in with us.
Do not be surprised if they are not completely hungry but please contact us if they do not return to full appetite over the next 24 hours.
If your cat has a surgical wound, please keep them indoors with a litter tray until any stitches are removed or they have been given the all-clear by us at a post-operative check up.
If your dog has a surgical wound, please keep them quiet (restrict jumping up etc) and confined to short lead walks only until any stitches are removed or they have been given the all-clear by us at a post-operative check up.
Occasionally, pets may have a slight cough post surgery. This is due to the tube that is placed in the windpipe to deliver oxygen and anaesthetic during surgery. If present though, this cough will usually be mild and resolve within a couple of days.
Pets should not be allowed to lick any surgical wounds. You may have been sent home with an Elizabethan Collar to prevent licking and we strongly advise that they wear this at all times when you cannot supervise them 100%.
Any surgical wound should be check at least twice daily. You should not need to do anything with the wound, it should take care of itself. However, if there is excessive bleeding, swelling or discharge please contact the surgery for advice. The wound should be comfortable and your pet not overly interested in it.
Please make sure you keep ALL post-operative appointments, as these are important for us to assess your pets' recovery.
If your dog has been in for castration, please be aware that he may still be able to impregnate a female for 6 weeks post surgery and should not be left with any bitch in season in this time period.
If your pet has had dental work and teeth extracted, please feed only soft foods for a few days post-operatively as their gums may be tender and they may also have dissolving sutures in their gums.