Post Op Instructions - Canine Spay / Neuter

Your dog is recovering from major surgery and anesthetic and requires continued support and nursing care at home to ensure a successful outcome. During the recovery period of approximately 14 days, home care is extremely important.

Additionally, It is important to keep separated from intact dogs for up to 6 weeks following surgery.

Male dogs may remain fertile for several weeks after a neuter procedure and may still be capable of impregnating an intact female during this time.
Female dogs that were in heat at the time of their spay may continue to have hormone levels that attract intact male dogs for several weeks following surgery. Mild swelling of the vulva and a small amount of discharge may also continue temporarily during the recovery period.

What to expect after surgery

The first 24-48 hours after surgery, your dog may experience:

Drowsiness or increased sleepiness
Mild nausea or decreased appetite
Temporary decrease in bowel movements
Mild bruising around the incision
Mild coughing from the breathing tube used during anesthesia

Please keep your pet indoors in a quiet, comfortable area while recovering. Closely supervise interactions with children and other pets until fully recovered.

Activity

may gradually return to normal activity once fully recovered from anesthesia, which is typically within 24 hours following the procedure, unless otherwise directed by your veterinarian.

During the healing period (14 days), activity should remain restricted to allow the incision to heal properly.

Please avoid:

Running
Jumping
Rough play
Off-leash activity
Excessive use of stairs

Leash walks for bathroom breaks are recommended during recovery.

Excessive activity can cause swelling, pain, delayed healing, or opening of the incision and may result in additional treatment or surgery.

For dogs that are especially active or have difficulty remaining calm during recovery, a mild sedative may be recommended to help keep activity appropriately restricted and support proper healing. Please contact our office if you feel may benefit from additional calming support during the recovery period.

Incision

The area around the incision will have been clipped and sterilized prior to surgery. For females, the incision will be on the belly. For males, the incision will be in the groin area.

Please check the incision 1-2 times a day. Some bruising and inflammation are expected just around the incision.

Increasing redness
Significant swelling
Bleeding
Discharge
Bad odor
Opening of the incision

Do not bathe or allow swimming until the incision is fully healed at 12-14 days.

Leash walks for bathroom breaks are recommended during recovery.

Excessive activity can cause swelling, pain, delayed healing, or opening of the incision and may result in additional treatment or surgery.

SUTURES

Most spay and neuter procedures do not have visible external sutures. Many sutures are placed beneath the skin and will dissolve on their own during the healing process.

If your dog has visible external sutures or staples, they will typically need to be removed approximately 14 days following surgery unless otherwise directed by your veterinarian.

Please contact our office at 801-269-1213 to schedule a suture or staple removal appointment.

There is no charge for a routine suture or staple removal appointment if no additional examination or treatment is required at that visit.

Elizabethan collar

An Elizabethan collar (cone or “e-collar”) is a protective barrier worn after surgery to help prevent damage to the incision caused by licking, chewing, or scratching. will need to wear the cone until the incision(s) are fully healed, which is typically 12-14 days following surgery.

Please note: Damage to the incision may result in delayed healing, infection, additional surgery, and additional medical costs.

If appropriate for your pet’s procedure, we may offer an alternative to the cone called a Medical Pet T-shirt. These shirts are designed to fit snugly and comfortably to help limit access to the incision site. However, they may not be appropriate for all incision locations or for pets that are persistent about licking, chewing, or scratching at the surgical area.

Iv catheter

If your dog had an IV catheter placed, mild bruising or tenderness at the site may occur and should resolve quickly.

If your dog leaves the hospital with a bandage on their leg, please remove it one hour after arriving home. Leaving the bandage on too long may cause swelling, irritation, or damage to the limb.

You may notice one or more shaved areas from IV catheter placement, blood draws, monitoring equipment, injections, or other treatments performed during your dog's procedure.

Diet

A general anesthetic can make patients drowsy and nauseous. Once ’s coordination has returned to normal, it is okay to offer a small amount of food and water.

If vomiting occurs after eating or drinking, withhold food and water until the following morning.

Please contact our office if vomiting persists beyond 24 hours after surgery or if your pet’s appetite does not return.

Long term, your pet will require fewer calories as it adapts to its lowered metabolism. A good rule of thumb is to reduce the food by 30%. For a tailored nutritional plan, contact our friendly team.

Medications

If is not vomiting, it is okay to begin the prescribed medication(s) the first night following the procedure. If appears nauseous or vomits, wait until the following morning before starting medications.

Please administer all medications exactly as directed. If you are experiencing any difficulty in dosing your pet, please contact us for advice.

emergency services

Emergency services are available after hours at the following locations. You are responsible for any fees charged by other clinics.

MedVet Salt Lake City - 331 W Bearcat Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84115 - 385-341-4444
Advanced Veterinary Care - 1021 E. 3300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84106 - 801-515-2023
Cottonwood Animal Hospital - 6360 Highland Dr, Murray, UT 84121 - 801-278-0505
Mountain West Veterinary Hospital - 13860 South 2700 West, Bluffdale, UT 84065 - 801-515-5011
Mountain West Veterinary Hospital - 908 Main St, Layton, UT 84041 - 801-683-6201

Owners are responsible for following all post-operative instructions and medication directions provided at discharge. Failure to follow these instructions may result in complications or delayed healing. Any additional medical, surgical, or emergency care required after discharge, including treatment related to post-operative complications, will remain the financial responsibility of the owner.