Home Care Instructions

SPAY HOMECARE INSTRUCTIONS

Your pet had an ovariohysterectomy performed on her today. This is a medical term for spaying a female dog or cat. Though it is routinely performed , an ovariohysterectomy is major abdominal surgery requiring general anesthesia and a sterile operating technique. Your pet has a small incision on her abdomen that you need to watch for the next 7 to 10 days. Any signs of redness, swelling or discharge could mean an infection, or if your dog/cat refuses to eat or seems depressed after the first day home, please call our office right away. Do not let your dog/cat lick or damage the incision area. Inter-dermal sutures were used, which are internal and will not need to be removed. Please make sure you keep her in a warm, dry place and only feed her a small amount of food and water tonight. Tomorrow she should be back to her normal routine. Please make sure you do not bathe her or let her go swimming for the next week.

NEUTER HOMECARE INSTRUCTIONS

Your pet was castrated today. This is the medical term for neutering a male dog or cat. It is surgical removal of the testicals. Though it is routinely performed, castration is surgery requiring general anesthesia. Your pet has a small incision that you need to watch for the next 7-10 days. Any signs of redness, swelling, or discharge could mean an infection or if your dog refuses to eat or seem depressed after the first day home, please call our office right away. Do not let your pet lick or damage the incision area. Inter-dermal sutures were used, which are internal and will not need to be removed. Please make sure you keep him in a warm, dry place and only feed him a small amount of food and water tonight. Tomorrow he should be back to his normal routine. Please make sure you do not bathe him or let him go swimming for the next week.

DENTAL HOMECARE INSTRUCTIONS

Today your pet had a dental, which involved general anesthesia. Please keep your pet in a warm, dry place and only feed him/her a small amount of food and water tonight. Tomorrow your pet should be back to his/her normal routine. If your pet had any teeth extractions today, their mouth might be a little tender. For the next couple of days you might want to feed soft food or wet down their dry food.

DECLAW HOMECARE INSTRUCTIONS

Your cat underwent onychectomy, which is the medical term for declawing. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia and consists of surgically removing the nail bed. The bandages on your cat were removed from his/her feet this morning and your cat will be able to walk normally though tenderness may be evident for a few days. Restricting exercise is difficult, however you should prevent your cat from jumping as much as possible for the first 5 days. Your cat may continue to use his/her litter box normally. If you notice any bleeding or swelling from his/her paws or your pet is reluctant to walk or if there is a change in your cat’s general health or behavior, please call the office right away.