Post-Operative Care
The following is information to help you care for your pet during their recovery from anaesthesia or surgery.
Get in touch if you have any further queries via PetsApp or,
Cat Castration
Following your cat’s procedure, we recommend the following advice to ensure a speedy recovery. If you are concerned about any aspect of your pet’s health following their operation then please contact the surgery.
Our out-of-hours emergency number is 01342 327799.
Your cat will be discharged by one of our veterinary team who will go through the procedure and aftercare with you.
Management of your pet
1. A clipped area may be present on one of your cat’s forelegs, this is where the anaesthetic was injected. A little bruising in this area is not unusual and will recede with time. The hair will usually grow back in 4-6 weeks.
2. Your cat may appear drowsy; this is because of the anaesthetic and should wear off during the next 24-hours. Your cat will also have had painkillers to keep him comfortable post-operatively.
3. Your cat should be offered a small amount of food and water post operatively. He will have already had a meal in hospital. Do not be surprised if they are not completely hungry but please contact us if they do not return to full appetite over the next 24 hours. They will have been offered a recovery diet for the first meal.
4. Your cat should stay indoors for 24-48 hours post-surgery.
5. Please check the wound at least twice daily. There should be minimal swelling and he should not be concerned or licking the wound. If there is any swelling, discharge or discomfort please contact the surgery.
6. We do not routinely check male cats post operatively as there are no sutures to remove. Please contact the surgery if you are at all concerned or he is not back to completely normal within 24 hours.
Cat Spay
Following your cat’s procedure, we recommend the following advice to ensure a speedy recovery. If you are concerned about any aspect of your pet’s health following her operation then please contact the surgery.
Our out-of-hours emergency number is 01342 327799.
Your cat will be discharged by one of our veterinary team who will go through the procedure and aftercare with you.
Management of your pet
1. A clipped area may be present on one of your cat’s forelegs, this is where the anaesthetic was injected. A little bruising in this area is not unusual and will recede with time. The hair will usually grow back in 4-6 weeks.
2. Your cat may appear drowsy. This is because of the anaesthetic and should wear off during the next 24-hours. Your cat will also have had painkillers to keep her comfortable post-operatively.
3. Your cat should be offered a small amount of food and water post operatively. She will have already had a meal in hospital. Do not be surprised if she is not completely hungry but please contact us if she does not return to full appetite over the next 24 hours. You will have been offered a recovery diet for the first meal.
4. Please keep your cat indoors until the post operative check at 10 days.
5. Your cat may have a slight cough for 2-3 days post-surgery. This is normal and is due to the tube that is placed in the windpipe to deliver oxygen and anaesthetic during surgery. If present this cough will usually be mild and resolve after 2-3 days.
6. Your cat should not be allowed to lick her wound. You will have been sent home with a Buster collar to prevent licking and we strongly advise that your cat wears this at all times.
7. The wound should be checked at least twice daily. If there is excessive bleeding, swelling or discharge please contact the surgery for advice.
8. You will be invited back for a post op check with the nurse at 2-3 days and 10 days post op. These appointments are usually booked at the time of discharge from hospital so remember to bring your diary with you.
Dog Castration
Your dog has had a surgical procedure performed under general anaesthetic. Please read and follow the advice below to ensure he makes a swift recovery. If you are concerned about any aspect of your pet’s health following its operation then please contact the surgery.
Our out-of-hours emergency number is 01342 327799.
Your dog will be discharged by one of our veterinary nurses who will go through the procedure and aftercare with you.
Management of your pet
1. A clipped area may be present on one of your dog’s forelegs. This is where the anaesthetic was injected through an IV catheter. A little bruising in this area is not unusual and will recede with time. The hair will usually grow back in 4-6 weeks.
2. Your dog may appear drowsy. This is because of the anaesthetic and should wear off during the next 24-hours. He will also have had painkillers to keep him comfortable post-operatively. He will also have been discharged with some pain medication to continue. Please read the label and instructions carefully and dose as prescribed.
3. Your dog should be offered a small amount of food and water post operatively. He will have already had a meal in hospital. Do not be surprised if he is not completely hungry but please contact us if he does not return to full appetite over the next 24 hours. You will have been offered a recovery diet for the first meal.
4. Please keep your dog quiet and confined to lead walks only until the sutures are removed in 10 days.
5. Your dog may have a slight cough for 2-3 days post-surgery. This is normal and is due to the tube that is laced in the windpipe to deliver oxygen and anaesthetic during surgery. If present this cough will usually be mild and resolve after 2-3 days.
6. Your dog should not be allowed to lick his wound. You will have been sent home with a Buster collar to prevent licking and we strongly advise that your dog wear this at all times. Or alternatively you can purchase a pet medical shirt to fit him and prevent him damaging his wound.
7. The wound should be checked at least twice daily. If there is excessive bleeding, swelling or discharge please contact the surgery for advice. The wound should be comfortable and your dog not overly interested in the area.
8. You will be invited back for a post op check with the nurse at 2-3 days and 10 days post op to check the wound and remove any sutures. These appointments are usually booked at the time of discharge from hospital so remember to bring your diary with you.
9. Please be aware that your dog may still be able to impregnate a female for 6 weeks post-surgery, and should not be left with any bitch in season in this time period.
10. You will be invited back for a complimentary weight check 3 months post operatively to ensure that your pet has not gained too much weight after his neutering.
Bitch Spay
Your dog has had a surgical procedure performed under general anaesthetic. Please read and follow the advice below to ensure she makes a swift recovery. If you are concerned about any aspect of your pet’s health following its operation then please contact the surgery.
Our out-of-hours emergency number is 01342 327799.
Your dog will be discharged by one of our veterinary team who will go through the procedure and aftercare with you.
Management of your pet
1. A clipped area may be present on one of your dog’s forelegs. This is where the anaesthetic was injected through an IV catheter. A little bruising in this area is not unusual and will recede with time. The hair will usually grow back in 4-6 weeks.
2. Your dog may appear drowsy. This is because of the anaesthetic and should wear off during the next 24-hours. She will also have had painkillers to keep her comfortable post-operatively. She will also have been discharged with some pain medication to continue at home. Please read the label and instructions carefully and dose only as prescribed.
3. Your dog should be offered a small amount of food and water post operatively. She will have already had a meal in hospital. Do not be surprised if she is not completely hungry but please contact us if she does not return to full appetite over the next 24 hours. You will have been offered a recovery diet for the first meal.
4. Please keep your dog quiet and confined to lead walks only until any sutures are removed in 10 days. (3 days if laparoscopic spay)
5. Your dog may have a slight cough for 2-3 days post-surgery. This is normal and is due to the tube that is placed in the windpipe to deliver oxygen and anaesthetic during surgery. If present this cough will usually be mild and resolve after 2-3 days.
6. Your dog should not be allowed to lick her wound. You will have been sent home with a Buster collar to prevent licking and we strongly advise that your dog wear this at all times. Or alternatively you can purchase a pet medical shirt to fit her and prevent her damaging her wound.
7. The wound should be checked at least twice daily. If there is excessive bleeding, swelling or discharge please contact the surgery for advice. The wound should be comfortable and your dog not overly interested in the area.
8. You will be invited back for a post op check with the nurse at 2-3 days and 10 days post op to check the wound and remove any sutures. These appointments are usually booked at the time of discharge from hospital so remember to bring your diary with you.
9. You will be invited back for a complimentary weight check 3 months post operatively to ensure that your pet has not gained too much weight after neutering.
Dental Procedures for Dogs and Cats
Your pet has had a surgical procedure performed under general anaesthetic. Please read and follow the advice below to ensure he/she makes a swift recovery. If you are concerned about any aspect of your pet’s health following their operation then please contact the surgery.
Our out-of-hours emergency number is 01342 327799.
Your pet will be discharged by one of our veterinary team who will go through the procedure and aftercare with you.
Management of your pet
1. A clipped area may be present on one of your pet’s forelegs. This is where the anaesthetic was injected through an IV catheter. A little bruising in this area is not unusual and will recede with time. The hair will usually grow back in 4-6 weeks.
2. Your pet may appear drowsy. This is because of the anaesthetic and should wear off during the next 24-hours. They will also have had painkillers to keep them comfortable post-operatively. Your pet may also have been discharged with some pain medication to continue. Please read the label and instructions carefully and dose as prescribed.
3. Your pet should be offered a small amount of food and water post operatively. They will have already had a meal in hospital. Do not be surprised if he/she is not completely hungry but please contact us if he does not return to full appetite over the next 24 hours. You will have been offered a recovery diet for the first meal and soft food is recommended for the first 24-48 hours.
4. Please keep your dog quiet and confined to lead walks only for 24-48 hours. Likewise, cats should be kept indoors for 24-48 hours post operatively.
5. Your pet may have a slight cough for 2-3 days post-surgery. This is normal and is due to the tube that is placed in the windpipe to deliver oxygen and anaesthetic during surgery. If present this cough will usually be mild and resolve after 2-3 days.
6. Your pet may have been given antibiotics in hospital and may also be sent home with a course to continue. Please follow the instructions carefully and always finish the course.
7. You will be invited back for a post op check with the nurse at 3 days post op to check the mouth and healing of any extraction sites. You will also be advised at this post op check of future preventative care options available to prevent further dental work being required in the future. The next important check-up is at 3 weeks to have a final check of the mouth and to assess how the preventative care is going. The final assessment on the mouth is done at 3 months post dental and is a complimentary consultation. Please take full advantage of these check-ups as preventing dental disease prevents both pain for your pet and costly procedures for you in the future.
General Anaesthesia
Your pet has had a surgical procedure performed under general anaesthetic. Please read and follow the advice below to ensure he/she makes a swift recovery. If you are concerned about any aspect of your pet’s health following its operation then please contact the surgery.
Our out-of-hours emergency number is 01342 327799.
Your pet will be discharged by one of our veterinary team who will go through the procedure and aftercare with you.
Management of your pet
1. A clipped area may be present on one of your pet’s forelegs. This is where the anaesthetic was injected through an IV catheter. A little bruising in this area is not unusual and will recede with time. The hair will usually grow back in 4-6 weeks.
2. Your pet may appear drowsy. This is because of the anaesthetic and should wear off during the next 24-hours. They will also have had painkillers to keep them comfortable post-operatively. Your pet may in some cases been discharged with medication to continue at home. Please read the label and instructions carefully and dose as prescribed.
3. Your pet should be offered a small amount of food and water post operatively. They will have already been offered a meal in hospital. Do not be surprised if they are not completely hungry but please contact us if he/she does not return to full appetite over the next 24 hours. You will have been offered a recovery diet for the first meal.
4. Your pet may have a slight cough for 2-3 days post-surgery. This is normal and is due to the tube that is placed in the windpipe to deliver oxygen and anaesthetic during surgery. If present this cough will usually be mild and resolve after 2-3 days.
