Emergency Numbers:  ABC After-Hours Phone  254-292-3213   

Animal Emergency Clinic  254-752-6100  (I-35 near New Road)

Your pet had major surgery. Please keep your pet quiet in a small area like a bathroom/laundry room or crate while the anesthesia wears off during the next 24 hours. Your care for the next 7 days is essential to your pet’s recovery.

Keep your pet from running, jumping, and playing for 7 days. Pets must be kept indoors where they can stay safe, quiet, warm and clean. Dogs must be walked on a leash and cats kept indoors. The incision should not get wet (no baths or playing in a pool or tank) for one week after surgery. 

Do not let your pet lick or chew at the incision. The veterinarian recommends a protective head cone to be worn for 7 days. Check the incision well daily. Call if you see swelling, redness or drainage.  

Food & Water. You may offer your pet ¼ of a normal meal around 7-8pm tonight. At this time, you may also offer ½ measuring cup of water every 2 hours. If your pet eats or drinks too much, a vomiting cycle may begin. Your pet’s appetite should return gradually within 24 hours after surgery.

Begin the prescribed post-op pain medication when giving the ¼ meal at 7-8pm.  Give as directed on the label.

Females in heat or pregnant at the time of surgery may continue to attract males for up to 10 days.  During this time, breeding may cause internal bleeding.  These females may also have a small amount of blood in the urine for 3-4 days after surgery.  A male may have the urge to breed for up to 6 months after surgery and is capable of impregnating a female up to 10 days after he is neutered.

Don’t allow your dog to jump into or out of vehicles; this could tear the internal sutures.  If you need help loading your pet, please let a technician know.    

DO NOT give human anti-inflammatory drugs or other pain medications. (Ibuprofen, NSAIDS, aspirin, Midol, Tylenol, Aleve, etc) unless specifically prescribed by your veterinarian.  These may be toxic to your pet!

We provide you with these details to reduce the likelihood of an expensive and painful veterinary visit. 

We are happy to examine your pet’s incision at no charge, though costs of resuturing will be your responsibility. If your pet needs veterinarian assistance, please call one of the emergency numbers above.  The cost of these visits is your responsibility. We cannot be held responsible for complications resulting from failure to follow post-op instructions.