Post-op instructions & frequently asked questions

What should I do when my cat/dog arrives home after surgery?

After arriving home, you should keep your pet warm and comfortable by providing a soft, clean bed, ideally in a quiet and draft-free room at a comfortable room temperature (68-75°F or 20-24°C). Your pet should remain indoors. For most procedures, your pet’s activity should be restricted for one week after surgery. It is essential to avoid running, jumping, and other strenuous activities that could cause excessive strain on the wound.

When can I feed my cat/dog?

You may offer your pet approximately half their usual dinner a few hours after arriving home. If they eat and still seem hungry, you may offer the rest of their meal approximately one hour later. Some pets experience nausea after general anesthesia, so dividing the meal into smaller portions may decrease the risk of nausea and vomiting. Unless otherwise instructed, your pet’s access to water should not be restricted.

My cat/dog is very sleepy, Is this normal?

Your pet was given a general anesthetic or a sedative. These drugs can take several hours to wear off and may cause some patients to appear drowsy for a day or so. Over the next 24-48 hours, your pet’s behavior should gradually return to normal. However, do not hesitate to contact the hospital if you are concerned.

Why has my cat/dog foreleg been shaved?

If your pet has a shaved area on one of her front legs, this is typically where the anesthetic or sedative was administered. Additionally, many pets receive intravenous (IV) fluids through an IV catheter during surgery. The hair must be removed to allow the area to be adequately disinfected before inserting the catheter.

My cat/dog has developed a slight cough since the operation. Should I be concerned?

Your pet may have had a tube placed in the trachea (windpipe) during anesthesia to administer oxygen and anesthetic gas. This can occasionally cause mild irritation and a slight cough. A mild post-surgical cough will typically diminish over the next few days. If coughing persists or worsens, contact the hospital.

What should I do if my cat/dog licks his wound or chews the stitches?

Your pet instinctively may try to clean her surgical site by licking. If you have been given an Elizabethan collar (often referred to as a cone or E-collar) or recovery suit, please ensure it is used to prevent chewing. If you have not been given one of these items and your pet begins licking or chewing the incision, please contact the hospital and request one. If your pet succeeds in removing any stitches, please call the hospital as soon as possible.

What should the incision look like, and when should I be concerned?

The incision should generally be clean, and the edges should be together. The skin surrounding the incision should be a normal or slightly reddish-pink color. In pale-skinned pets, bruising is often seen around the surgical site. This may not appear until a few days after the operation and, in some cases, can seem excessive compared to the size of the incision. This is due to seepage of blood under the skin’s edges and is a normal occurrence. Sometimes, a small amount of blood may seep intermittently from a fresh incision for up to 24 hours, especially if the animal is active.

You should be concerned and should contact the hospital immediately if you see any of the following at the surgical site:

• Continuous or excessive blood draining
• Intermittent blood seepage that continues for more than 24 hours
• Excessive swelling or redness of the skin
• Unpleasant odor or discharge

When do the stitches need to be removed?

Most skin stitches or sutures are generally removed seven to fourteen days after the operation; the actual time depends on the type of surgery performed. You will be instructed if and when your pet should return for suture removal. In some cases, your veterinarian may use sutures that do not require removal. These sutures are placed under your pet’s skin and will dissolve in the coming weeks. Contact your veterinarian if you have questions about your pet’s stitches.

When can my cat/dog resume normal activities?

This will depend upon the type of operation your pet underwent. In most cases, your pet’s activity will need to be restricted for at least one to two weeks or until the sutures are removed (if the sutures are to be removed). During this time, limiting your pet’s activity is essential to prevent the incision from opening. It is also essential to avoid baths during this time, as moisture can help introduce bacteria into the wound and lead to infection. Your veterinarian will give you detailed instructions on activity restrictions and other post-operative instructions.

Will my cat/dog receive medication after her surgery?

After surgery, your pet may be sent home with pain or other oral medications. If you have been given any medication to give your pet, please READ THE LABEL CAREFULLY and ensure that you administer ALL medication as instructed. If you are having trouble treating your pet, please contact the hospital for advice.

Limit activity
Keep your pet's activity limited for 10–14 days after surgery for female dogs and cats, and 5–7 days for male cats. Avoid running, jumping, and roughhousing. 

Check the incision
Check the incision site twice a day for redness, swelling, drainage, and scabbing. 

Prevent licking
Use a cone-shaped Elizabethan collar to keep your pet from licking the incision. 

Keep bandages dry
Keep your pet's bandages dry to prevent infection. If your pet goes outside, cover the bandages with plastic wrap or a bag.

Don't skip follow-up appointments
Follow-up appointments allow your vet to monitor your pet's progress and check for infection. 

Don't feed your pet too soon
Don't feed your pet until they've regained coordination and the effects of anesthesia have passed. 

Manage pain
A veterinarian will explain what medications to give your pet for pain and discomfort. 

Signs to contact a veterinarian immediately include:

• Pale gums
• Labored breathing
• Extreme lethargy
• Excessive vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Discharge or excessive bleeding from the incision
• Difficulty urinating