General Post Operation Instructions

WHAT TO EXPECT:

The first night your pet will probably sleep a lot.

Normal appetite and behavior should return by the end of the day after surgery. Although your pet may remain a little subdued for a few days, especially if additional pain or sedative medications aren't given, remarkable depression, persistent vomiting the day after surgery, and continued lack of appetite through out the day after surgery are abnormal. Please give us a call if this occurs. 

DIET:
Small amounts of water (2 oz.) should be offered at 5 pm tonight. If there is no vomiting gradually increase the amount offered every 30 minutes over the next few hours till a full bowl is available. Once a whole bowl of water is available small amounts of food, about 1/2 a regular meal, can be offered after 5 pm tonight. If the first nights meal is well tolerated you can return to regular feeding the next day, Sometimes your pet will not eat the first night or may vomit after drinking or eating and that is normal in some cases. Just stop offering water or food and try this introduction regimen again the next morning. If that goes down OK start regular feed that evening. If there is still vomiting or no interest in food please call us at this time. This is normal for some pets, but we will want to check to be sure.

ACTIVITY:
Restricted: If unsupervised, recommend crate confinement. Outdoors, your pet should be on a leash for the next 9 days. Avoid running, jumping, playing, stairs or rough housing, etc...If you have trouble controlling boisterous behavior please call us and we will prescribe a sedative.          
                                                                     
TREATMENT PROCEDURES:
Your pet did receive pain medication at the time of surgery.  Whining, whimpering, and signs of discomfort can be helped with medication. Some dogs may be more comfortable with it for several days following surgery but once he becomes comfortable you may stop the pain medication.        

MEDICATIONS:
Your animal has received today's dose at the hospital. Next dose due tomorrow morning. Second pain medication and/or sedation: If your animal is too hyper, please call and we can prescribe a pain medication that also helps cause sleepiness to help your animal recover from the surgery quietly.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
Do not let your animal lick the incision.

Only 3- 5 minutes of licking can cause infection and cause the sutures to come out of the incision. An E-collar is often required. In light skinned dogs the incision may display some bruising; this is normal and will resolve over the next week. Please monitor incision daily for signs of swelling, discharge, gapping, or increased redness.  Call immediately if you see a problem. 

*E-collar use: I understand that not following post operative care and not using an E-collar increases my pet's risk of having their stitches come out or an infection. Both of these can be life threatening.

RECHECK
Sometime your pet might need to come back in 14 days from surgery to remove stitches if they have any. If your animal does not have any stitches then we don't need to see them back unless something is wrong.

Cold and Warm Compressing
This is an optional step for post-op surgical incision care at home that may help with pain, swelling, etc. after surgery. Cold compresses are used for the first 48-72 hours after surgery, and then afterwards you can switch to warm compresses. The only exception to this is if you notice signs of a seroma forming during that first 48-72 hour period. A seroma is an accumulation of fluid under the skin. You may also notice clear to yellow-tinged, sticky fluid coming from the incision. Keeping your pet calm after surgery can reduce the chance of a seroma forming. However, if you do notice signs of a seroma you would need to immediately switch to using warm compresses. 

Cold compressing
Can purchase ice packs at the store or make them at home using either ice in a plastic sealable bag or a damp towel that has been placed inside a plastic sealable bag and put in the freezer for at least 15 minutes NEVER apply an ice pack directly to the skin. Always wrap a towel around the ice pack before applying to the skin. Use cold compress on the incision for about 15-20 minutes at a time. Try to use at least 2-3 times per day.  

Warm compressing
Can purchase special packs for warm compressing or can make at home using a sock full of uncooked rice. Place compress in the microwave for short intervals (15-30 seconds) until it is at the desired temperature. It should feel warm, but not hot to the touch.  Use the warm compress on the incision for about 15-20 minutes at a time. Try to use at least 2-3 times per day. 

For Emergencies when we are not open or available, and you aren't sure if you need to rush him in, please call or text our after hours line at
336-423-7534.

If it is a true medical emergency, please go to:

Happy Tails Veterinary Emergency Clinic
4525 Lawndale Dr, Greensboro, NC 27455
Telephone number: (336) 288-2688
HappyTailsERVet.com