1. No running, jumping, excessive play, swimming, or other strenuous activity for 7-10 days. No baths during the recovery period. Your pet must be kept inside where it can stay clean, dry, and warm. Dogs must be leash walked and cats kept indoors. Keep your pet quiet. Do not change your pet’s diet or give any special treats for 7-10 days. This could mast post-surgical complications. Sutures are internal and dissolvable unless otherwise noted.
2. Check the incision site twice daily. There should be no drainage. Redness and swelling should be minimal. Do not allow your pet to lick or chew at the incision. If this occurs, Bitter Apple Spray or an e-collar MUST be used to prevent it. Call this office if the incision has opened.
3. Appetite should return gradually within 24 hours. Lethargy, diarrhea, or vomiting lasting more than 24 hours post-op is not normal and you should call this office for instruction. Call this office if you notice a cough, hacking, or gagging that lasts more than a few days after surgery.
4. We recommend your pet receive a post-operative examination with your regular veterinarian 7-10 days after surgery. Have the incision checked for complete healing and discuss additional needs, follow-up care, and vaccination boosters.
5. Your pet received a green tattoo next to their incision. This tattoo is a scoring process in the skin; it is not an extra incision.
6. If you have any questions or concerns related to recovery, call this office FIRST at (217) 789-7729. For medical emergencies on weekends or holidays, clinic staff can be reached at (217) 801-3378. Call your regular veterinarian for issues not related to surgery.
Animal Protective League will treat at our clinic, at minimal cost, any post-op complications resulting directly from the surgery if the above post-op instructions are followed in full. Your regular veterinarian must address illnesses or injuries that are not a direct result of surgery. Please call for an appointment as soon as you see cause for concern. We cannot be held responsible for complications resulting from failure to follow post-op instructions or for contagious diseases for which the animal was not previously properly vaccinated.