After Surgery Instructions
Thank you for choosing Capital Area Humane Society Spay & Neuter clinic to care for your pet!
Important Additional Information
- Recovery period is 10-14 days
- Check the incision at least twice daily
- No running, jumping, playing with children or other pets
- Leash walk during the recovery period
- Do NOT give human medications!!!
- Using an E-collar to prevent licking for dogs is highly recommended
- Do not bath or allow your pet to swim for at least 14 days, as the surgical glue is water-soluble
If there are any questions or concerns directly related to the surgery during the recovery period, please call (517) 908-0756 or email [email protected] during normal office hours, Monday, Wed, Thurs and Friday from 8am-4:30pm.
Please Note: CAHS Spay & Neuter clinic does not have medical staff available on weekdays after 4pm or on weekends (Sat/Sun). Please be proactive if you have any post-op concerns.
If you think your concern cannot wait, please contact your pet’s full-service veterinarian, Greater Lansing Veterinary Center (517-708-2525) or MSU Small Animal Clinic (517-353-5420) at your own cost. Capital Area Humane Society will not reimburse fees from another clinic.
Printable Post-operative Surgery Instructions: ENGLISH SPANISH
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE MY PET TO RECOVER?
The recovery period is 10-14 days. Puppies and kittens tend to recovery faster from surgery. Your pet may show signs of dysphoria or disorientation following surgery such as whining, panting, struggling, or difficulty getting comfortable. Crate rest, and limited activity during this time, is extremely important.
HOW SOON CAN I FEED AND WATER MY PET AFTER SURGERY?
Allow your pet to calm down after arriving home. Once they are settled in, they can eat half of what they normally do for dinner. If they vomit, please pull their food and try to feed them again the next morning. If vomiting persists for more than 24 hours past surgery, please contact us.
WILL I NEED TO HAVE THE STITCHES REMOVED?
The sutures used today were dissolvable. No follow-up appointment is necessary for suture removal. Water-dissolvable glue was used to close the outside of the incision. You will also notice a green line on your pet’s abdomen. This is a tattoo to show that the pet has been sterilized, and is not removable.
WILL I NEED TO GIVE MY PET PAIN MEDICATION?
Pain medication is administered by the veterinarian at the clinic immediately following surgery, and will last for the next 24 hours. If you purchased additional pain medication, you may begin using it the morning after surgery, as directed on the label. If you did not purchase additional pain medication and would like to, please contact the clinic and we will prepare it for your pet. *Do not give your pet any human medications as this can cause severe adverse reactions and/or death.
WILL THERE BE ANY SWELLING OR BLEEDING AT THE INCISION SITE AFTER SURGERY?
As the suture material dissolves, a small amount of swelling is normal. If you are at all worried, please call our office to discuss further, or feel free to text a picture of your pets incision, to our emergency phone at (517) 420-8458.
SHOULD I BANDAGE OR PUT AN ANTIBIOTIC ON THE INCISION?
Please DO NOT put any ointments or creams on your pet’s incision, or cover your pet’s incision with any material. If your pet is licking or chewing their incision, they will need an Elizabethan collar (E-collar) to prevent this from happening. E-collars can be purchased from us for $10, or you can purchase them from most pet stores. For an E-collar to be effective, the end of the e-collar must come at least 2″ past the very end of your pet’s nose.