Your pet has undergone general anesthesia and surgical sterilization. For the safety and well-being of you and your pet, please read and follow the post-operative instructions (please request feral discharge information for any feral animals):
1. Your pet must be kept indoors for 14 days (females) or 10 days (males) after surgery. This will enable you to carefully monitor recovery and will prevent complications and possible death from exposure to outdoor temperature extremes and hazardous conditions.
2. Restrict your pet’s activity to a bathroom or laundry room for the next 14 days (females) or 7 days (males). Do not allow running or jumping, and keep separate from all other animals.
3. As when any anesthesia is used stomach upset can occur. To avoid, restrict the amount of food and water the day of surgery. Offer a small amount of water 2 hours after your cat gets home, and a small amount of food 1 hour after the pet keeps water down. Repeat small feedings for the rest of the day of surgery. Regular feeding schedules can be followed the day after surgery. Kittens 4 months and under should be fed and given water as soon as they get home.
4. Check the incision twice daily until healed. A small smount of blood or fluid seepage is normal immediately after surgery. If you notice any prolonged drainage or swelling, contact us on the medical emergency line.
5. Do not allow your pet to get wet for 14 days after surgery. This means no baths for two weeks post-op.
6. We use dissolvable sutures for female cats that do not require removal in most cases. Male cat neuters do not require sutures. Please use shredded newspaper or a commercial brand called Yesterday’s News or Good Mews instead of litter for 7 days post-op to prevent dust particles from irritating the incisions. You will be advised if suture removal is required at discharge.
7. DO NOT GIVE ANY MEDICATION TO YOUR PET WITHOUT CONSULTING YOUR VETERINARIAN. TYLENOL IS TOXIC TO ANIMALS AND ASPIRIN CAN BE DEADLY IF GIVEN POST-OPERATIVELY.
8. Post-operative symptoms that can be considered normal are: decreased appetite, decreased energy level, mild nausea, small amount of fluid seepage from incision, slight swelling or redness at incision. Continued or prolonged incidence of above symptoms could indicate a more serious problem, in which case call the medical emergency line.
9. If your pet licks the incision, it might unintentionally irritate the area or cause some damage. If needed, fit your pet with an Elizabethan collar for 14 days post-op. These can be purchased from us or other pet supply stores.
10. If you have any concerns about your pet’s medical condition within the two weeks following surgery, please call the Medical Emergency Hotline at (404) 895-1979. We will take calls until 9:00pm and advise you on how to handle your case. After 9:00pm and on weekends follow directions on the recording. For medical records and non-emergency information call (770) 455-7077.
