AFTER SURGERY CARE

1. Feed your pet a light meal later tonight. Your pet has had a general anaesthetic and may not be hungry, in which case feed as normal tomorrow. Pets may vomit after anaesthetic, so it is safer to start with a small, plain meal.

2. Keep your pet warm tonight as the anaesthetic reduces his/her ability to regulate body temperature.

3. For a desexing operation there may be some post-operative swelling. However, if there is bleeding or discharge, or if you are worried about the appearance of the wound, please contact the hospital or bring your pet in for us to check it.

4. Restrict exercise to a minimum for a week after surgery.

5. If there are any stitches, please check the wound daily. If your pet licks or bites at the wound or dressing, you may need an Elizabethan collar to prevent this. You pet may resent the collar for the first 24 hours, but will adjust to it given time, and will be able to eat, drink and sleep with the collar on.

6. If there is a bandage or dressing, please ensure it does not become wet or dirty. If this happens, please contact the hospital to see if it needs replacing.

7. Older animals recover more slowly from surgery than younger animals and need closer observation at home. Monitor appetite, water consumption, urination and defecation.

Please return in 7 days for drain removal.
Please return in 10 days for suture removal.

If you have any other queries, please do not hesitate to contact the hospital