Below are general recommendations for post-operative care. Always refer to your specific discharge instructions that were provided when you picked up your pet for their customized care plan.

    1. Feed in a normal manner unless instructed otherwise.
    2. The effects of sedation may last for up to 48 hours. Your pet may be unsteady, groggy, or unable to focus. If any of these symptoms persist beyond 48 hours or you are concerned, please contact us.
    3. DO NOT bathe your pet for two weeks until the sutures have dissolved. Infection may result if water gets into the incision.
    4. DO NOT clean or apply any kind of antiseptic to the incision for two weeks unless instructed otherwise.
    5. For the first 2 weeks, your pet’s activity should be limited to short trips outside, on leash, just long enough to go to the bathroom. Depending on your pet’s procedure, activity may need to be restricted for a longer period of time. Please refer to your discharge instructions for specific information.
    6. Observe the incision until the incision has healed and the 2 week recheck is complete. There should be no discharge or excess swelling. A small lump may develop within the first week after surgery. If there is no drainage or discomfort to the animal, this can be checked at the 2 week recheck.
    7. A cone collar should be worn for at least the first 2 weeks to prevent any licking, scratching, or biting of the incision, which can lead to an infection.
    8. In case of post-surgical problems, please contact us for a recheck appointment.
    9. If your animal has a bandage from the placement of an IV Catheter, or from an injection site, please remove the bandage around 30 minutes after the patient is picked up.