Post Operative Care Instructions
For 7-10 days after surgery, keep your pet indoors or in a quiet, dry, warm place with no running, jumping, or swimming.
Your pet may have a loss of appetite and decrease in activity for 1-2 days after surgery. You may also notice softer than normal stools, or no stools for 1-2 days following surgery. Some animals will vomit after having surgery, however vomiting should not persist for more than 24 hours.
Do NOT give any medication (prescription or over the counter) that is not specifically prescribed for your pet; human pain medications (Tylenol, Ibuprofen, etc.) can cause serious illness which may lead to the death of your pet.
Feeding:
You may offer your pet water and ¼ - ½ of their regular diet tonight as long as they are awake and alert. If your pet is still groggy, withhold food until tomorrow. Water should be offered only under supervision. Your pet may choose not to eat tonight. Their appetite should return to normal in 2 days. Do not change your pet's diet or offer table scraps, milk, etc. Only offer them their regular diet. .
Monitor the incision area:
Please check your pet's incision area twice daily. Mild redness and swelling can be normal. You will notice green tattoo ink in the incision area of female cats and dogs. This will leave a permanent mark to indicate that your pet has been spayed. Excessive swelling or drainage is not normal; you should contact wither the APA Spay/Neuter Clinic or your regular veterinarian to determine treatment. Opening of the incision or excessive bleeding is considered an emergency. You should seek immediate veterinary attention.
Your pet's incision area is held together with glue that will dissolve in 1-2 weeks. If the glue gets wet, it dissolves too quickly. To keep the area dry, do not allow your pet to lick the incision, do not bathe your pet for 7-10 days, and do not let your pet lay in the rain/mud. If your pet does try to lick/chew at the incision, an E collar should be placed on him/her and left on until the incision is completely healed. Licking, bathing, swimming or lying in rain/mud can result in infection of the incision. All female pets should be kept away from intact males for at least 2 weeks to prevent injury from attempted breeding.
Monitor Behavior: Persistent appetite loss, vomiting, or diarrhea of more than 2 days is not normal. Contact either the APA or your regular veterinarian. Extreme depression/lethargy or unresponsiveness by your pet is an emergency – seek immediate veterinary attention.
Contacts: APA Spay/Neuter Clinic (901)-324-3202
Pet Med Emergency on Germantown Pky (901) – 624-9002
Animal Emergency Center on Summer Ave (901) – 323-4563
The APA Spay/Neuter clinic is not a full service veterinary clinic. We are equipped to perform sterilization surgeries and not to diagnose/treat illness. We do not provide diagnosis/treatment for other illnesses or injuries of your pet. If during the abbreviated physical exam performed on your pet, we encounter a problem, we will bring it to your attention and if necessary, recommend that you see your regular vet for a full exam and treatment. Please notify us with any post-operative concerns that you may have. We will advise you on the most appropriate course of action.
Shots such as feline FVRCP or Canine DHPP should be given every 3-4 weeks beginning at 6-8 weeks of age until 16 weeks, then once yearly. If your pet has an unknown vaccination history we recommend vaccinating as soon as possible and a booster 3-4 weeks later. Vaccinations are not effective for 2 weeks after the final booster. Pets who do not receive the booster vaccinations are not protected against disease. Rabies shots should be given at 12-16 weeks of age or as soon as you find/adopt a pet with an unknown shot record. Rabies shots cannot be given to pets under 12 weeks of age. We strongly recommend that you establish a wellness program for your pet with your regular, full service vet. There are many acceptable vaccine choices and vaccination protocols; your vet can tailor a schedule to meet your pet's needs.