Your discharge instructions come first
The written instructions you received are specific to your pet’s procedure, age, and health. Wherever anything on this page differs from those instructions, follow the instructions from your visit — and call us if anything in them is unclear.
Keep activity limited
After surgery, most pets need their activity restricted while they heal. That usually means no running, jumping, or rough play, and short leash walks instead of loose time in the yard. Your discharge instructions will tell you how long to keep this up and what level of activity suits your pet’s procedure.
- Use a leash for bathroom breaks, even in a fenced yard
- Keep your pet from jumping on and off furniture
- Separate them from other pets who may want to play
- Follow the activity timeline in your discharge instructions
Checking the surgical site
Look at the surgical site at least once a day, in good light. You saw it when your pet came home — that’s your reference point. If it looks different from how it looked then, or you simply aren’t sure whether what you’re seeing is expected, call us. We would much rather answer a quick question than have you wait and wonder.
- Look at the site daily
- Compare it to how it looked when your pet came home
- Call us about anything you’re unsure about
- Don’t apply ointments, creams, or cleaners unless we told you to
Stopping licking and chewing
Licking and chewing at a surgical site can undo healing and introduce infection. If your pet came home with an e-collar or recovery suit, use it exactly as directed — including overnight and any time your pet isn’t being watched. If your pet finds a way around it, call us rather than improvising a substitute.
Medication
Give any medication exactly as prescribed, for the full length of time prescribed, even if your pet seems to be feeling better. Never give human pain medication to a pet — common human painkillers, including ibuprofen and acetaminophen, are toxic to dogs and cats. If your pet still seems uncomfortable on what we sent home, call us instead of adding anything.
Eating and drinking
It’s common for pets to have less interest in food right after anesthesia. Your discharge instructions will explain what and when to feed. If your pet isn’t eating or drinking the way those instructions describe, let us know.
When to call us
Call the clinic about anything that concerns you — including anything you’re simply unsure about. You don’t need to be certain something is wrong to call.
- Any change at the surgical site you weren’t expecting
- Your pet seems painful, restless, or unusually withdrawn
- Not eating or drinking as your instructions describe
- Vomiting, or difficulty urinating or having a bowel movement
- Your pet reaches the surgical site despite the e-collar
- Anything in your discharge instructions you’d like explained again
For an urgent concern outside our regular hours, our Emergency page explains how to get care.
Emergency info