It looks like the incision is opening or draining. What should I do?
It doesn’t take much for your pet to do damage to the incision site. Running, jumping, or excessive activity can cause stress on the incision site. Dogs should be leash walked only (no running loose or rough housing) for one full week after surgery. Cats should be kept indoors if at all possible for one week. You may utilize a pet crate or small room with the door closed to keep your pet’s activity to a minimum.
A few drops or slight draining may occur at the incision site, however, he/she needs to be looked at. If you feel the bleeding or draining is not life threatening, please call us so we can arrange a time for your pet to be seen by our staff. If it is after hours or duing the weekend, we encourage you to call the emergency clinic.
Major bleeding that appears to be life threatening is serious and you should call the emergency number provided on your post-surgical instructions packet immediately or take your pet to the nearest emergency clinic. If your female dog or cat’s incisions opens up completely and/or you see tissues protruding from the incision site, contact and/or visit the emergency clinic immediately. You are responsible for paying the cost of the visit and all treatments directly to the emergency clinic or private veterinarian.
How is the green line tattoo applied? If my pet licks the ink, will it hurt them?
A superficial skin incision is made near the surgery site, green tattoo ink is applied along with tissue glue. This is a universally recognized tattoo that identifies your pet has been spayed or neutered. The ink or glue is non-toxic and should not hurt your pet if licked.
What do I do if my pet hasn’t pooped or peed?
It can be normal for your pet to not poop or pee the day of surgery. You have withheld food the night before surgery, therefore, there may not be any food for them to break down in their system currently. Additionally, we often express the bladder just before surgery and/or your pet has peed or pooped already at our clinic. Also, your pet may feel “off” or anxious due to the e-collar. You can temporarily remove the collar to allow your pet to eliminate, but make sure to put it back on when finished. If your pet has not pooped/peed within 48 hours after surgery, you should visit our clinic during business hours or you should seek out a full service vet clinic (at your expense).
Caring for your dog after Neutering them? | 5 Tips – Veterinarian approved
There are many valid reasons to spay/neuter your bitch/dog. One of the main reasons is that spaying/neutering is beneficial for your pet’s health in the long run. At the same time, it is also a very responsible attitude as it helps controlling the number of stray dogs. Spaying/neutering your pet will also prevent some unwanted behaviours.
As with any other medical procedure, it’s highly important that you know how to effectively take care of your furry friend after undergoing surgery. If instead of dogs you want to know more about cats, click here. Some dogs will recover faster, but there are ways in which you can facilitate the recovery process. Here are some of the things you should remember.
After bringing your dog home you may notice she is disoriented or more depressed than usual. It is not uncommon for the dog to be particularly quiet during the first 24h after surgery. If, for some reason, your dog is agitated you should confine her. Specially in the case of females where there is a higher chance for the stitches to open.
Make sure you place your dog in a quiet place, in dim light, during the recovery process. The bed must be comfortable and the room temperature should be pleasant. If you have other pets at home or children, keep them away from your dog. During the recovery period your dog may experience some disorientation and may become aggressive our stressed.
The anaesthesia effect usually wears off completely after 24h. After this period, your dog should be behaving as usual.
Once your dog gets home from the vet, you can offer her a small amount of water. You should not allow your dog to drink too much as this can cause vomiting. When the dog is awake and alert you can offer her food. The amount should be small (half than the usual). If your dog vomits or refuses to eat do not force it. You should wait until the next day to offer food again.
Twenty four hours after surgery you may offer water and food in normal amounts. It is normal for your dog’s appetite not to be the same as usual during the first day. However, if everything is not back to normal within the first 48h after surgery, you should call your vet.
Your pet received long-term pain medication during the spaying/neutering surgery. However, 24 to 36 hours after surgery, it is possible that the effect of this medication begins wearing off. Therefore, it is normal for the vet to prescribe pain medication. If you have received medication for your dog , follow the instructions given by the vet.
DO NOT GIVE HUMAN MEDICATION TO YOUR PET!! Many owners do not know, but over-the-counter medications routinely used in humans (such as aspirin, paracetamol, or ibuprofen) can be dangerous and even fatal to their animals. Dogs do not metabolize these drugs in the same way as humans do. If you think your dog needs pain medication, contact your vet. He will prescribe an appropriate medicine.
Contact the vet if your dog is not urinating or defecating regularly within 72 hours after surgery. Check if is blood present in your dog’s urine. A small amount may be present in female dogs during the first 24 hours after surgery. If this continues or if your dog appears ill at any time, call the vet.
A day or two after spaying/neutering, your dog’s personality should return to normal. However, you should restrict your dog’s activity for seven days after surgery.
Too much activity may lead to the opening or inflammations of the surgery site. To help keep your pet quiet:
As stressful as it may seem to take care of your dog after surgery, remember that you are doing the best for your pet’s health!
To remember when you got your dog neutered and never forget his medication get the PETABLE app. It will send you reminders so you never miss a treatment again. Click to download: