Following any procedure there is always a member of our veterinary team on call who can be reached by telephoning the surgery if you are worried about anything, even if it is just for reassurance.

Please follow this aftercare advice to support your pet through their recovery:

Post-anaesthetic

It is important to keep your pet quiet, comfortable and warm following an anaesthetic or sedation. Don’t expect them to be their normal selves, allow them to recover in their own time. If your pet is usually housed outdoors it is a good idea to allow them to recover somewhere warmer as they are not as efficient at controlling their body temperature.

Feeding

Your pet will have been offered food on recovery but don’t worry if they are not hungry, their appetite should return to normal in 24 hours. We will provide you with a specially formulated diet to aid your pet’s recovery. Feed small amounts little and often returning to your pet’s normal food when they have recovered. Ensure fresh water is available at all times. In small animals, such as rabbits and guinea pigs it is important to ensure they begin eating soon after a procedure, if you are concerned please contact the surgery.

Exercise

Please follow any specific exercise regime given. Unless otherwise instructed, dogs should be restricted to lead exercise until sutures are removed. Cats should be provided with a litter tray and confined to the house until sutures are removed or you are advised accordingly.

Fur

You may notice a small shaved patch of fur on your pet’s leg or neck where blood samples or medications have been administered. There may also be a shaved area around the surgical site, shaving off fur is essential so that hair does not contaminate the wound during surgery. It will grow back over the next few months.

Medication

Unless otherwise instructed your pet will have been given a painkiller and antibiotic injection during their anaesthetic, this will keep them comfortable for 24 hours. Please follow the directions on any medications prescribed by the veterinary surgeon.

Wounds

Please discourage your pet from interfering/licking with any wounds as this will delay the healing process, may cause the wound to breakdown and introduce infection. Special collars are available to prevent your pet interfering with its wound and should be used until told otherwise. Check wounds on a daily basis for any swelling, discharge or heavy bleeding if you are concerned then please contact the surgery.

Dressings

These should be kept clean and dry. Cover them with a waterproof bag when taking them outside if it is wet but remember to remove it immediately afterwards. Do not try to re dress your pets wound should the dressing become loose or fall off. Check the dressing daily for any swelling. If you notice any discharge such as blood or pus soaking through the dressing, it smells or is causing your pet irritation then please contact the surgery for advice.

Dentistry

If your pet has been in for a dental procedure, they will have had their teeth scaled and polished. It may have been necessary to extract some diseased or damaged teeth and is quite normal to have some bleeding or salivation post dental. If there is excessive bleeding or you are concerned, then please contact the surgery.