PRE-Surgical Instructions for Dogs & Cats
All dogs must be on leash and cats are required to be in clean carriers. One cat per carrier.
Please withhold food after midnight the night before surgery. Water can be left out through the night, but do not allow your pet to gorge themselves on water in the morning before they come in.
If your pet has a current rabies vaccination you must bring the rabies certificate with you. If you do not, we will require that they receive a rabies vaccine. A rabies tag is not proof of rabies.
If your pet is pregnant or in heat there will be an additional fee.
POST-Operative Instructions for Dogs & Cats
Home Care
*Your pet may be drowsy from the anesthesia for the remainder of the evening. Their behavior may also be different so allow them to rest and keep them away from children and other animals.
Keep animal in a clean dry place, preferably indoors.
No playing, running, or roughhousing allowed for 7-10 days. You will need to leash walk dogs to go to the bathroom over the next 7-10 days. No long walks for this time period.
Keep animals separated from other animals in the household for 7-10 days to avoid any play that could affect the incision.
If pain medication was prescribed, please follow the written instructions carefully. Do not give anything but prescribed medications. (NO aspirin, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, etc.)
All stitches are internal and dissolvable; they do not need to be removed. All females and some male animals are given a tattoo. This is a small green mark on their abdomen.
Feeding instructions
Adult animals: The evening after surgery you may feed your pet 1/4 of the amount of food you would normally feed them. You do not want them to gorge themselves and then vomit. If they keep this small meal down, you can feed them another small meal before bed.
Starting the day after surgery, feed them their regular food for 7-10 days, and DO NOT feed table scraps or change their diet.
Puppies and Kittens: You can offer food and water when returning home.
Incision Care
Check the incision the evening after surgery and twice a day for the next 7-10 days. Make sure any redness and swelling are minimal and that it is getting better each day. Make sure there is no drainage or bleeding from the incision, that is not normal.
Use an e-collar to prevent the animal from licking the incision.
No bath or swimming for 2 weeks; the incision needs to stay dry.
If the animal is having diarrhea, vomiting, or is very lethargic this is abnormal. Call your veterinarian or go to the nearest emergency.
If there are any questions or concerns directly related to the surgery during the recovery period, please call us during business hours at 740-323-2100 ext 208 or contact your regular veterinarian.