After Care:
It is important that your pet is monitored closely over the next 24 hours after surgery and gets plenty of rest. Patients that have undergone anaesthesia or sedation may have trouble regulating their body temperature. It is ideal that they are kept indoors overnight and nice and warm in a temperature controlled environment.
It can be normal for your pet to have the occasional cough after an anaesthetic. This can happen as your pet has been intubated with a tube in their trachea and it can occasionally cause some irritation. This can sometimes last 1-2 days.
Your pet will need to be kept quiet for the next 10 days after surgery, no running around or playing. Please do not bathe or let your pet go swimming during this time. Your pet can go for short walks on the lead again after 3 days but do not let them run freely. After 7 days the distance can be increased and they can return to normal activity after their wound check at 10 days.
Meals:
You may offer your pet a small amount of water once you get home. If no vomiting occurs you can feed half the amount of their normal dinner given and then return to normal amounts the following day.
Suture/Wound Care:
Please keep the wound dry and clean. There should be no need to bathe the wound unless instructed by the veterinarian. It is very important that your pet does not lick or chew at the wound as this can increase the risk of redness, swelling and infection. You can prevent your pet from licking at the area by either purchasing an antiseptic bitterant spray such as Wound Gard or by using an Elizabethan collar.
Medications:
Your pet will have been given a pain relief injection in recovery that lasts 24-36 hours. This and any take home medications will be discussed on discharge.
Recheck:
Please make an appointment to bring your pet back to the clinic in 10 days time unless given a different timeline by the vet. This is to ensure the wound is healing well and we can give your pet the all clear to return to normal activity levels. If you have any concerns at all beforehand please don’t hesitate to contact the clinic.
Please Contact the Clinic if:
- They are not eating after 24 hours after surgery.
- They are lethargic for longer than 24 hours.
- If there is an increased swelling at the incision site.
- If they appear uncomfortable or painful.
- If they lick or chew at the sutures, or chew the sutures/drain out.
- If you have any concerns at all.