Post-Surgery Information:
Below is some information that may apply to your pet after surgery.
As always, don't hesitate to reach out to our office if you have questions or are worried about your pet!
As always, don't hesitate to reach out to our office if you have questions or are worried about your pet!
- Your pet can eat tonight, though we recommend giving some water first to help settle their stomach.
- Do not allow your pet to drink excessively, this may cause vomiting.
- We recommend giving the normal food amount in segments with a break in between.
- Your pet may vomit, show little interest in food, and/or want to rest a lot following surgery, this is all normal behavior.
- Limit your pet’s activity in the days following surgery.
- If your pet has had an orthopedic procedure they will need to be on “strict rest”, meaning that they must be kept on a leash while outside, and must be kept in a crate if they are running or jumping while inside.
- Do not bathe your pet for a minimum of 10 days following surgery so that your pet’s incision can fully seal and become “water tight”.
- Do not apply external medications to the incision site unless given specific permission/instruction by Dr. Ernest.
- Do not clean the incision site with hydrogen peroxide or with alcohol, these substances damage cells and may delay/hinder the healing process.
- External sutures should be removed 10-14 days following surgery, please call our office to make an appointment.
- The price of suture removal is included in the price of surgery.
- If the sutures are sub-dermal (cannot be seen from the surface) they will dissolve after approximately 6 months.
- Examine your pet’s incision regularly while they are in recovery.
- It is common for surgical incisions to be red and slightly swollen immediately following surgery, these symptoms will slowly resolve as the incision heals.
- Discharge from the incision site may be normal in the first day following surgery. If you notice any moisture from the incision after 24 hours, please call us immediately!
- If you notice increasing swelling or redness/and or moisture in the days following surgery your pet may be developing an infection and we will need to see them back to examine the incision and prescribe antibiotics.
- Monitor your pet for vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and lethargy following surgery. If these symptoms persist past 24 hours contact our office to schedule a follow-up.
- Do not allow scratching or chewing at the surgery site (some licking is fine). Most pets do not even attempt it, or at the very least are easily dissuaded, but if they are persistent you may need to purchase a cone.
- We recommend the “donut” style cones over the traditional elizabethan collar style because they are less disruptive to the pet.
- These collars are available for purchase at most pet supply stores.
- You may notice some behavior changes (crankiness, aggression, or sensitivity), this is normal, and these changes are temporary and typically resolve in roughly 48 hours.
- Keep young children and other pets away from pets that have had surgery for at least 48 hours after surgery.
- Your pet may have been sent home with antibiotics following surgery. You can start the antibiotics the following morning, and they should be given as instructed (full instructions are always included on the drug label).
- If the antibiotics induce vomiting give the next dose with a meal. If vomiting persists, contact our office so that we can prescribe a different antibiotic.
- If your pet experiences an emergency after hours bring them to the Veterinary Emergency Referral Center without delay.
- Address: 4800 N Davis Highway Pensacola, FL 32503
- Phone: 850-477-3914
- Hours: 24/7
- If you have any concerns about your pet following surgery, please call us. We are always happy to hear your concerns and answer your questions. (850)477-1865