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POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
Your dog or cat has undergone general anesthesia and surgical sterilization. For the safety and well-being of you and your animal, please follow these post-operative instructions carefully.
Dogs and cats must be kept indoors after surgery. This will enable you to carefully monitor recovery and will prevent complications and possible death from exposure to outdoor temperature extremes.
As when any anesthesia is used, stomach upset can occur. To avoid stomach upset, we recommend that you restrict the amount of food and water your dog or cat has access to during the first 3 hours at home after surgery. You can provide one or two ice cubes to lick or chew on during this time. You can offer a small amount of food and water after three hours and gradually increase the amounts over the next 24 hours.
Restrict your animal’s activity for the next 7 days. Do not allow running or jumping.
Do not allow your animal to lick/chew at the incision site. If licking or chewing becomes a problem, an e-collar can be used to prevent the animal from being able to reach the incision. E-collars can be purchased at the SNAP Wellness Clinic in Houston and at most pet stores.
You should check the incision at least twice daily until healed. A small amount of blood seepage is normal immediately after surgery. Should you notice any continued drainage or swelling, contact the clinic or after-hour emergency telephone number listed below.
If the incision should become dirty, gently clean the area with a cotton ball and luke-warm water.
You must not allow your dog or cat to get wet for at least 7 days after surgery. This means no bathing, swimming or rainy weather exposure for at least one week after surgery.
If the surgery required the use of sutures, the sutures are dissolvable and should not require removal. Because male cat neuters do not require the use of sutures, we advise using shredded newspaper instead of litter in your cat’s litter box for 7 days after surgery to prevent dust particles from irritating the incisions.
DO NOT GIVE ASPIRIN OR TYLENOL TO DOGS AND CATS FOR PAIN RELIEF UNLESS SPECIFICALLY PRESCRIBED BY YOUR VETERINARIAN. TYLENOL IS TOXIC TO ANIMALS AND ASPIRIN CAN BE DEADLY AFTER SURGERY. Your animal was given pain medication at the time of surgery. Additional pain medication may be purchased if you feel it is needed.
If you have any questions about your animal’s condition after surgery, please call the clinic where the surgery was performed:
HOUSTON
Mobile Clinic: 713.522.2337
Spay-Neuter Clinic (on Durham): 832.217.7195
SAN ANTONIO
Mobile Clinic: 210.673.7722
Ingram Rd. Clinic: 210.673.7722
For life-threatening emergencies requiring immediate attention, call the emergency numbers below:
HOUSTON
Mobile Clinic: 832.498.7096
Spay-Neuter Clinic (on Durham): 832.217.7195
SAN ANTONIO
Mobile Clinic: 210.632.0902
Ingram Rd. Clinic: 210.632.0902
NOTE: Houston emergency numbers will be answered immediately. San Antonio numbers may go to voicemail. Please leave a brief message explaining the nature of the emergency and your phone number. Someone will return your call shortly. Our staff is on call for surgical emergencies only. For other questions about your animal’s health, or for emergencies not related to surgery, contact your private veterinarian or your nearest Animal Emergency Clinic. Animal Emergency Clinics are listed in the Yellow Pages under “Veterinary & Animal Hospitals.”
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