Surgical Discharge Form

General Anesthesia/Sedation Home Care Instructions

If your pet was placed under general anesthesia or given a strong sedative, it is important to realize that your pet may not be his or her “normal” self for the next 12 24 hours. This means your pet may appear depressed, lethargic, and/or show no interest in normal activity or diet during this time. Feed small amounts of regular food unless otherwise directed for the next 24 hours (your pet may refuse to eat for the first 24 hours after anesthesia- this is normal).

Offer water in small amounts for the next 24 hours. Your animal may vomit if too much food or water is given at once, due to nausea from anesthetic drugs.

Surgical Incisions

• Swelling and reddening is normal, but should not persist for more than 5 days following surgery. Any discharge or drainage from the incision should be reported to the clinic.
• Licking, chewing, scratching at the incision can result in the removal of sutures and infection.
• Your pet should have an e-collar placed at all times.
• Your animal should not be bathed or go swimming until the sutures are removed or 10 days post-surgery.
• Your animal will also need to be leashed walked until suture removal or for 10 days.
• If your animal has external sutures they will need to be removed 7-10 days after surgery. There is no charge for suture removal, but an appointment is required.

Bandages

• Bandages must be kept dry. If they are wet they must be changed in 24 hours.
• A plastic bag may be placed over the bandaged limb to protect it from becoming wet when taking your dog outside during rainy weather. If you do this the plastic bag must be removed in 30 minutes to prevent moisture buildup.
• Chewing at bandages should be discouraged and an e-collar worn at all times.

Medication

Give all medications as directed. Tablets or capsules can be placed in a small piece of food and offered as a treat.

• Vomiting, greater than 24 hours post-treatment (or profuse vomiting, at any time)
• Persistent depression or weakness, greater than 24 hours post-treatment
• Loss of appetite for more than 48 hours
• Profuse diarrhea