Home Care Instructions
Your pet was spayed/neutered today. It is normal for them to be sore or tired for several hours or even a few days after surgery. Please review the instructions below to help ensure a smooth recovery.
Procedure / Diagnosis
Spay / Neuter
Proper Restraint
Please protect your pet when leaving the hospital by using a leash or carrier.
Medications
Start all prescribed medications as directed.
Food and Water
- Offer only small amounts of food and water tonight.
- Normal feeding may resume tomorrow.
- Feed your pet their regular diet unless otherwise instructed.
Activity and Exercise
- Confine indoors.
- Take outside on a leash only for elimination.
- NO running, jumping, rough play, or access to stairs.
- Normal activity may resume in 10–14 days.
Sutures and Incision Care
- Sutures are dissolvable and do not need to be removed.
- Check the incision daily for swelling, redness, or discharge.
- Prevent licking or chewing at the surgery site.
- Keep the onesie or e-collar on at all times for 10–14 days.
If the incision appears irritated or infected, contact us immediately.
Follow-Up
- Please call with a progress report in 2–3 days.
- No routine recheck appointment is required unless concerns arise.
Post-Anesthesia Advisories
- Your pet may be unsteady tonight. Use caution with stairs and elevated furniture.
- A mild, soft cough may occur for a few days due to the breathing tube used during anesthesia. Contact us if the cough worsens or becomes productive.
- Mild constipation may occur. Call if no bowel movement is noted within 3 days.
- Contact us if you observe vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive lethargy.
Call Us Immediately If You Notice:
Contact Summit Dog & Cat Hospital at (908) 273-2200 if any of the following occur:
- Loss of appetite lasting more than 2 days
- Refusal to drink water for more than 1 day
- Excessive pain
- Depression or lethargy
- Weakness or inability to stand
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Swelling at the surgery site
- Excess drainage, foul odor, or wet bandage
- Missing or loose sutures
- Chewing, licking, or scratching at sutures
- Excessive bleeding (including from the mouth)
- Labored breathing
- Straining to urinate or defecate
- Difficulty getting up or lying down
- Discharge from the eyes, ears, or nose
- Any abnormal odors