Your pet's care is now in your hands. It is important for you to follow through with all of the care and/or medications that we have prescribed to aid in the overall recovery of your pet.

 

Since your pet may still be feeling the after effects of the anesthetic, please watch them around stairs and raised surfaces to ensure they don't fall. Your pet's pain has been treated using narcotics and anti-inflammatory injections that will last until the morning. Any whining or vocalizing that occurs tonight is most likely due to disorientation related to these drugs, not pain. If your pet is still exhibiting these symptoms is the morning, please call us.

 

It is fine to offer your pet a small meal tonight, but only about half of what your pet's normal food portion would be. Do not be alarmed if your pet refuses to eat or vomits. In either case, simply take the food away and offer it again in the morning. However, if your pet is still refusing to eat in the days following the surgery, please call us. Plenty of fresh water should be readily available to your pet.

 

Please give the dispensed medication as prescribed. If you note any vomiting or diarrhea after giving the medication, please call us. Check the incision area daily for any redness, swelling or discharge and call the hospital if any of these occur.  The area must stay clean and dry so PLEASE KEEP YOUR PET FROM LICKING THE INCISION.  If you are not able to, please contact us and we can provide an e-collar for a small fee.

 

The sutures are buried and will dissolve on their own, so they do not have to be removed.

 

Please keep your pet's activity level to a bare minimum for the next 7 days. No running, jumping or rough play and no free running. Do not let your cat outdoors for at least a week after surgery. This can be challenging, especially with the younger pets but this must be done to avoid post-surgical complications such as excessive swelling, bruising, infection and possible incision repair.

 

We use Isoflurane gas as our maintenance anesthetic which is one of the newest and safest anesthetics available. A transient cough may be present in your pet as a result of the tracheal intubation and gas anesthesia. This should resolve on its own within a few days.

 

Please do not allow any bathing or swimming for at least 10 days after the surgery.

 

If you wish for your pet to have a post-operative recheck for any reason whatsoever, we offer a complimentary exam fee for all our post-surgical patients up to 2 weeks after the surgery date. This complimentary exam fee only applies at our hospital during regular business hours.

 

Please call us if you wish to arrange a recheck  appointment or if you have any questions regarding your pets recovery.

 

Thank you from all of us at the Valley Veterinary Hospital - we hope your pet has a speedy recovery!