Post-op Instructions
Pets must be kept indoors where they can stay clean, dry and comfortable. Please limit their activity; no running, jumping, rowdy play, swimming, or other strenuous activity during the 7-10 day recovery time period. No bathing during this period. Dogs must be walked on a leash.
Please check the incision site twice daily. There should not be any drainage. Redness and swelling should be minimal. Do not allow pet to lick or chew at the incision site. If this occurs, an Elizabethan collar or a product called “Bitter Apple” must be used to deter any licking and/or chewing.
Unless told otherwise, your pet does not have external sutures. All sutures are absorbable and the outer layer of skin is held together with surgical glue. Do not clean or apply topical ointment to the incision site. If you are told that your pet has skin sutures or skin staples, they will need to return in 7-10 days to have those removed. Male cats do not have any sutures. As the wound heals, there may be a firm lump under the incision as the absorable sutures break down.
Lethargy lasting for more than 24 hours post-op, diarrhea, or vomiting are abnormal and your pet should be examined by a veterinarian. Dogs may have a slight cough for a few days after surgery.
Your pet was given a small snack and water following surgery. Their appetite should return gradually in the next 24 hours. Do not change your pet’s diet and do not give junk food, table scraps, milk, or any other people food during the recovery period since doing so could mask post-surgical complications.
Spaying and neutering are very safe surgeries; however, complications can occur. Minimal redness and swelling should resolve within several days. If it persists longer, please contact us. Please contact us immediately if you notice any of the following:
- pale gums
- depression
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- discharge or bleeding from the incision
- difficulty urinating
- labored breathing
If your female dog or cat was in heat (estrus) at the time of surgery, you must keep them away from un-neutered males for at least two weeks. If a male tries to mate with her serious bleeding and trauma to the reproductive tract may occur, possibly leading to death.
If you have any questions or concerns directly related to the surgery during the recovery time period, please do not hesitate to contact the clinic at 540-437-1980. If there is an emergency after hours, please contact one of the following emergency facilities:
- Shenandoah Valley Regional Veterinary Emergency Services Clinic
Verona Shopping Center Verona, VA 24482
540-248-1051 - Veterinary Emergency Treatment Service & Specialty (24 hrs)
1540 Airport Road Charlottesville, VA 22911
434-973-3519 - Valley Veterinary Emergency & Referral Center (24 hrs)
164-4 Garber Lane Winchester, VA 22602
540-662-7811
If the above post-op instructions are completely followed, the Shenandoah Valley Spay/Neuter Clinic will treat at our clinic, at minimal cost, any post-op complications resulting directly from the surgery. Your regular veterinarian must address illnesses or injuries that are not a direct result of surgery. Please call for an appointment as soon as you see cause for concern. We cannot be held responsible for any animals requiring attention after our business hours. We cannot be held responsible for complications resulting from a failure to follow post-op instructions or for contagious diseases that the animal was not previously properly vaccinated.
