You must restrict the Animal’s activity for the next ten days to allow the tissue time to heal & avoid causing the incision to open.
Cats should stay indoors.
All dogs should go out on a leash to urinate/defecate & then return inside to rest.
Crate rest may be necessary depending on activity level during your pet’s recovery.
Keep the incision site dry; do not bathe, do not apply topical ointment, do not apply bandages over incision during the recovery period.
Keep males away from unspayed females for 30 days, they are still fertile during this period.
Keep females away from unneutered males for seven days.
Be prepared to keep pets separate during the full recovery period.
Check the incision site at least twice daily.
Female (cat and dog) and male dogs should have no drainage; redness & swelling should be minimal.
The incision for male cats is directly on the scrotum & is left open to allow for drainage.
Small amounts of drainage/discharge is normal for up to three days for male cats.
Too much activity causes increased drainage, so activity restriction is very important for all pets during recovery.
Do not allow the Animal to lick or chew at the incision.
If licking/chewing occurs, an post-operative cone (E-collar) MUST be applied to prevent possible infection.
Appetite should return gradually within 24 hours of surgery.
Do not change the Animal’s diet at this time, and do not give them junk food, table scraps, milk, or any other people food during the recovery period. Feeding them their regular diet will help avoid gastro-intestinal upset.
The GI tract is slowed due to anesthesia. If your pet has an appetite once they go home day of surgery, you may feed them a small portion of food to help their GI tract start to move again.
For cats, once you pick them up they should stay in their carrier for the next 3-4 hours while they get re-acquainted to you and their surroundings.
Your cat will not smell like its household so other pets will not recognize them.
Your cat should stay in a secluded room once they can come out of their carriers, they may still be disoriented from the anesthesia.
Some cats will wake up and be easily provoked, they should not be around small children for the night.
Minimal redness & swelling of the surgery site should resolve within several days, but if they persist longer, please call our office at 336-723-7550. After office hours, please call 336-896-0902 for Carolina Veterinary Specialist of Winston-Salem. You should also contact them immediately if you notice any of the following: pale gums; depression; unsteady gait; loss of appetite or decreased water intake; vomiting; diarrhea; discharge or bleeding from the incision; difficulty urinating or defecating; labored breathing. Do not give human medication to the Animal. It is dangerous & can be fatal.
If the Animal received a vaccine at our clinic other than rabies, please discuss a “booster” vaccine with your regular veterinarian. Canine distemper/parvo vaccine, feline distemper vaccine, and feline leukemia vaccine all need to be “boostered” three weeks after administration of the first vaccine for maximum effectiveness.
We will make every reasonable effort to treat at OUR CLINIC, at minimal cost, any post-operative complications resulting directly from the surgery, if the above post-operative 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 any cause for concern at 336-723-7550. After office hours, please call 336-896-0902 for Carolina Veterinary Specialist of Winston-Salem.
Your pet will go home with a green tattoo marking sterilization. This tattoo is made by scoring the first dermal layer and inserting tattoo ink into it. It is closed with surgical glue and will heal as their incision does. This is usually located near their umbilicus
Central Spay Neuter and Wellness Clinic
2780 West Mountain Street, Kernersville, NC 27284 --- 336-723-7550
POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS