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 POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS

1. No running, jumping, playing, swimming or other strenuous activity for 7 to 10 days. Keep your pet quiet. Pets must be kept indoors where they can stay clean, dry and warm. No baths during the recovery period. Dogs must be walked on a leash and cats kept indoors.
2. Check the incision site twice daily. There should be no drainage. Redness and swelling should be minimal.
3. Do not allow your pet to lick or chew at the incision. If this occurs, an Elizabethan collar MUST be applied to prevent it.
4. Appetite should return gradually within 24 hours of surgery. Lethargy lasting for more than 24 hours post-op, diarrhea, or vomiting are not normal and your pet should be taken to your regular veterinarian.
5. Dogs may have a slight cough for a few days after surgery.
6. Do not change your pet’s diet at this time and do not give junk food, table scraps, milk or any other people food during the recovery period. This could mask post-surgical complications
7. If your pet is a male dog, he may have received a post-operative anti-inflammatory injection.
8. We recommend your pet receive a post-operative examination with your regular veterinarian 7 to 10 days after surgery.Have the incision checked for complete healing, to remove any skin sutures, and to discuss additional needs, follow-up care and vaccination boosters.
9. If there are any questions or concerns directly related to the surgery during the recovery period, please call the emergency line at (706) 424-7478. If there is an emergency after hours, contact your regular veterinarian or the emergency hospital at (706) 769-0229.Your female cat or dog received a green tattoo that will indicate the incision.
10. It is recommended for cats to switch their litter to paper litter for the first 2-3 days to prevent litter from getting into the incision.

ARS&NC will treat at our clinic, at minimal cost, any post-op complications resulting directly from the surgery, if the above post-op instructions are followed in full. Your regular veterinarian must address illnesses or injuries that are not a direct result of surgery. Please call for an appointment as soon as you see cause for concern. We cannot be held responsible for complications resulting from failure to follow post-op instructions, or for contagious diseases for which the animal was not previously vaccinated.