Sterilization Recovery

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Your pet has undergone general anesthesia and surgical sterilization. We strongly recommend, for the safety and well being of your pet, that you carefully follow these post-operative instructions. Please call your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns.

Your pet is going to be “out of it” after surgery, as it takes several hours for the anesthesia to wear off. Don’t be surprised if it whimpers, hisses, growls or makes other uncharacteristic noises. When you bring it home, do not try to pick it up. Let it leave the pet carrier when it’s ready. Please keep your children & other pets away from it. For cats, it helps to set up a bed, its litterbox and food/water in one area that it likes. Your cat may be a bit “out of sorts” for 2-7 days after surgery. Males tend to recover within 24-48 hours, while females take 5-7 days. Do not try to pick up your pet during this time, as it is not feeling well.

Both dogs and cats should be kept indoors after surgery. Walking your dog on a leash is permissible but he or she must be kept from playing with other dogs for 14 days following the procedure. The incision needs time to heal & heavy exercise could cause tearing or stretching, which could lead to infection.

As with any anesthesia, stomach upset may occur. Please do not offer food or much water to your pet until 6 PM following surgery. Small amounts of food to begin with are best, and then slowly increase to normal amount over a 24-hour period. You may offer your dog ice cubes before 6 PM.

Please check the incision twice daily. If there is major swelling, discolored seepage or heavy bleeding, call your vet immediately. The incision area needs to be kept clean & dry for 10 days following surgery.

In most cases, your pet does NOT need to return for suture removal (please check with the vet at time of pick-up). Dissolvable material was used. Some minor swelling and redness is normal. Please try to prevent your pet from licking this area – if necessary a recovery collar may be obtained from your vet.

For emergencies, please contact your veterinarian immediately. The HSAR hotline is answered by volunteers and may not be checked every day – so please do not hesitate in contacting your vet. If your animal was sterilized at the Spay Waggin’, you can contact the Animal Rescue League at 617-426-9170 or you can take it into Angell Memorial Hospital in Jamaica Plain (tell them your pet was a surgical patient at Spay Waggin’). Angell Memorial is open 24/7. If your animal was sterilized at Alliance for Animals, you may contact them at 617-268-7800. Hingham Animal Clinic is open during regular business hours during the week only. For emergencies, contact Roberts Animal Hospital in Hanover at 749-4551 or VCA Hospital in Weymouth at 781-337-6622.

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