POST- OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
Please read and follow these instructions in full
1. No running, jumping, playing, swimming, or other strenuous activity for 14 days. Keep your pet quiet. Pets must be kept indoors where they can stay clean, dry, and warm. No baths during the recovery period.
2. Check the incision site twice daily. Unless otherwise noted, there are no sutures or staples to be removed. There should be no drainage or discharge from the incision, redness and swelling should be minimal.
3. Do not allow your pet to lick or chew at the incision. If this occurs, an E collar MUST be applied to prevent it. You may purchase an E collar at the clinic for $10, or you can pick one up at your local pet store or from your regular vet.
4. You MAY receive additional medications for your pet. Give this according to directions on the label. Some medication does not start until the next day. Always give this medication with food, and do not give unless your pet is eating and drinking normally. If in doubt, it is safer to not give the medication.
5. Appetite should return gradually within 24 hours of surgery. Lethargy lasting for more than 24 hours post-op, diarrhea, or vomiting are not normal, and you should contact us immediately if these occur. We can then assess if your pet needs to be examined by a medical professional. Dogs may have a slight cough for a few days after surgery. Do not change your pet’s diet at this time and do not give junk food, table scraps, milk, or any other people food during the recovery period. This could mask post-surgical complications.
6. We recommend your pet receive a post-operative examination with your regular veterinarian 7-10 days after surgery. Have the incision checked for complete healing, to remove any skin sutures, and to discuss additional needs, follow-up care, and vaccination boosters.
7. If there are any concerns related to the surgery, please call our office during business hours Monday-Wednesday 7:30am-5:30pm. If you need to contact our veterinarian after hours, please call or text the number that will be provided in these same instructions that get emailed to you after pickup that day. A printed copy is given to you that day as well. If you believe you have an emergency or you cannot reach our veterinarian, contact your nearest emergency clinic, either Maine Veterinary Medical Center Emergency and Specialty Hospital in Scarborough (tel. 885-1290) or Animal Emergency Clinic of Mid-Maine in Lewiston (tel. 777-1110). If you go to a veterinarian other than this clinic for post-op recheck, you will not be reimbursed for the charges.
8. Your pet received a green tattoo next to their incision. This tattoo is a scoring process in the skin; IT IS NOT AN EXTRA INCISION.
9. Your pet may have some lingering effects of anesthesia, such as over-excitability. Please allow your pet to rest in a dark and quiet location for several hours or overnight if needed.
10. Post-operative instructions and an e-collar MUST accompany the animal if adopted within 14 days of spay/neuter.
Community Spay-Neuter Clinic will treat at our clinic, at minimal cost, any post-op complications resulting directly from the surgery, if the post-op instructions are followed in full. Your regular veterinarian must address illnesses or injuries that are not a direct result of surgery. Please call for an appointment as soon as you see cause for concern. We cannot be held responsible for complications resulting from failure to follow post-op instructions, or for contagious diseases for which the animal was not previously vaccinated. Our veterinarian recommends that you establish a wellness program for your pet with a regular, full-service veterinarian.