Routine Procedure

Routine Surgery: Spay, Neuter, Mass Removal

After your pet has been shaved and surgically prepped, the doctor will perform the procedure. For routine spays and neuters, sutures under the skin and surgical glue will be used to close the incision.

For some mass removals and larger procedures skin sutures or surgical staples may be used. This will be indicated to you on your surgical discharge sheet.

If you pet has surgical staples or skin sutures you will need to make an appointment to return and have those removed in 10-14 days or as directed by the doctor.

At the end of the procedure your pet will be moved into recovery. They will be monitored during recovery. Once they are alert enough you will be notified. A technician will call to speak to you and set up a time for your pet to be discharged.

Pick up

Once you have been checked out by our front staff. A technician will then review with you your pet’s aftercare. They will discuss any medications your pet will go home with as well as what you need to do post-surgery. You will be given a discharge sheet that has your post-operative instructions on it for you to refer to if needed. Please be aware because your pet has been intubated during surgery, they may have a cough. Please let us know if this lasts more than a couple of days or becomes severe.

Go Home Instructions

Feeding: Your pet may not want to eat full meals for the first 24 hours. We recommend feeding ½ the normal amount for the first meal after surgery, then gradually increase meals to the normal amount fed.

Activity: Your pet may sleep for the first 24 hours following surgery. This is normal. If they seem excessively tired, please contact us. For routine surgeries, our patients are typically back to their normal selves within 24-36 hours. If this was a major abdominal surgery, mass removal, orthopedic surgery, or emergency surgery, it may take up to 48 hours for your pet to feel normal. For all surgical procedures, with the exception of a dental, confinement/cage rest and leash walks only is recommended for the first 10-14 days while the incision is healing. Please refrain from bathing, submerging the incision(s), or allowing your pet to swim for at least 14 days.

Incision: Please make sure that Your pet is not licking or itching the incision. As hair begins to grow, they can become quite itchy. If your pet is licking or itching the incision, then you may need to use an Elizabethan (cone) collar and/or keep the incision covered. Please call us to discuss your options to prevent damage to the incision. The incision should be inspected at least twice daily. Unfortunately, your pet may not know when to stop and may damage the incision or may help it to become infected. If you notice any redness, oozing, or extensive bruising/swelling, please call us for an appointment to recheck the incision.

Some pets find it comforting to have cool compresses on the incision twice daily for 5 mins for the first 2 days, then warm compresses similarly thereafter.

Sutures: If your pet has external skin sutures or staples, they should be removed 10-14 days following the surgery. Please make an appointment to have this done. Sutures under the skin will be dissolved by the body in 2 weeks – 2 months. Occasionally, you may see a knot from these sutures pop through the skin. If this happens after 10-14 days following the surgery, we would be happy to remove the suture for you.