The Dubois County Humane Society Spay and Neuter Clinic
Post-Op Instructions
Aftercare instructions
The first 24 hours post-surgery
Do not allow your pet to lick or chew their incision. Licking can lead to serious complications like the incision opening or becoming infected. This can be painful and may require follow-up visits which could result in unexpected costs.
What to expect after surgery
The following guidelines will help you to determine if your pet’s recovery is normal, requires attention, or is in a state of emergency. These guidelines don't cover every potential issue, so if you have concerns that are not addressed here, please call us at 812-482-7387.
The first 24 hours post-surgery
- Allow your pet to recover in a quiet, safe place indoors.
- Be aware that your pet’s behavior may be slightly altered in the first 24 hours after surgery. For example, they may be glassy-eyed, sleepy, nauseous, wobbly, vocal, shivering, or irritable.
- Encourage frequent movement indoors to help your pet recover from the anesthesia. Allowing them to rest uninterrupted will result in longer recovery and potential complications.
- Offer small amounts of the food they eat regularly and water later in the evening. Your pet may feel nauseous, and it can take up to 48 hours for their appetite to return to normal.
- You may notice your pet received a small green tattoo, indicating they've been sterilized. This tattoo is not an extra incision and does not require cleaning.
- Your pet should be closely supervised and on an exercise restriction for the next 10-14 days. Keep your pet quiet as quiet as possible during the first two weeks. Avoid running, jumping, and excessive playing. Strenuous activity increases your pet’s risk of developing swelling around the incision site that could result in premature dissolving of sutures, opening of the incision, and costly medical care that would be your responsibility.
- Keep the incision dry. No bathing, swimming, or playing in deep snow.
- Check the incision twice daily until healed.
- A small amount of blood is normal immediately after surgery.
- Some redness and swelling of the incision is expected and normal.
- If you have questions or concerns, consult the detailed information packet sent home with your pet after surgery or call us at 812-482-7387.
- Do not allow your pet to lick, scratch, or chew the incision. If this occurs, an Elizabethan collar (E-collar) must be used to help prevent potentially serious post-operative complications.
- Male dogs and cats can still impregnate an unsterilized female up to one month after surgery. Please keep a close eye on your pet.
Do not allow your pet to lick or chew their incision. Licking can lead to serious complications like the incision opening or becoming infected. This can be painful and may require follow-up visits which could result in unexpected costs.
What to expect after surgery
The following guidelines will help you to determine if your pet’s recovery is normal, requires attention, or is in a state of emergency. These guidelines don't cover every potential issue, so if you have concerns that are not addressed here, please call us at 812-482-7387.