Download Your pet has had major surgery that requires general anesthesia

POST-OPERATIVE
INSTRUCTIONS
Your pet has had major surgery that requires general anesthesia. During the procedure, the patient is
completely asleep and unable to feel or move. In female dogs and cats, the uterus and ovaries are removed
through a small incision in the abdominal wall. Females are unable to get pregnant following the surgery. In
male dogs and cats, the scrotum is not removed, only the testicles. Removal of the testicles prevents
production of sperm and the male dog or cat will no longer be able to father puppies or kittens.
It will take 7-10 days for your pet to recover from the surgery (also referred to as the recovery period).
Tonight, keep your pet confined to a small area where it is warm and quiet. Keep him or her separate from
other animals and small children and do not allow the pet on a bed or other high places.
SURGERY
Female dogs and cats have a mid-line incision in their abdomen. Male dogs have an incision just above the
scrotum, and male cats have two incisions, one in each side of the scrotum. Check the incision site at least
twice daily. What you see today is what we consider normal. There should be no drainage. Redness and
swelling should be minimal. Male cats may appear as if they still have testicles. This is normal; the swelling
should subside gradually through the recovery period. DO NOT ALLOW YOUR PET TO LICK OR CHEW AT
THE INCISION. If this occurs, we recommend you purchase Bitter Apple spray to deter licking. If this does
not deter them, we recommend you purchase an E-collar to prevent them from being able to reach the area.
You will notice a small green line tattooed near the incision site. Do not attempt to remove the tattoo. It will
remain for the life of the animal to prevent unnecessary spay/neuter surgery should your pet become
separated from you.
If your female cat has recently been nursing a litter, the surgery will be performed as a flank, rather than a
mid-line, surgery. In this case, the left side of the cat will be shaved and the incision will be on her side.
If your female dog or cat was in heat at the time of surgery, you must keep her away from any un-neutered
males for at least 2 weeks. While she is unable to become pregnant, she will still attract intact males for a
short period of time. If a male attempts to breed the female, it can cause serious, possibly life-threatening,
damage to the female.
SUTURES
Unless you are told otherwise, your pet does not have external sutures. The internal sutures are absorbable,
and the outer layer of skin is held together with surgical glue. Do not clean or apply topical ointment to the
incision site. If you are told your pet has external sutures, they will dissolve and do not need to be removed.
Male cats do not have any glue or sutures; their incisions will heal as an open wound.
ACTIVITY
Some animals are active after surgery, while others are quiet. It is very important that you limit your pet’s
activity for the next 7-10 days. No running, jumping, playing, swimming, or other strenuous activity during the
recovery period. Pets must be kept indoors where they can stay clean, dry and warm. Do not bathe your pet
during the recovery period. Dogs must be walked on a leash when outside and cats must be kept inside.
Keep your pet quiet. Any strenuous activity could disrupt the healing process.
FEEDING
You may feed your pet half of a normal meal after arriving home. Do not change your pet’s diet at this time.
Some pets may not have an appetite the evening of surgery, but it should return gradually over 24 hours.
COMPLICATIONS
Spaying and neutering are very safe surgeries; however, complications can occur. Minimal redness and
swelling should resolve within several days. If it persists longer, please contact us or your regular
veterinarian.
Do not give Tylenol, aspirin, or other pain relievers to your pet. These can be deadly.
Contact us or your regular veterinarian if you notice any of the following:
 Pale gums
 Persistent vomiting
 Persistent diarrhea
 Discharge or bleeding from the incision
 Difficulty urinating
 Labored breathing
If you have any questions or concerns during the recovery period, please call us at
521-1320. Our hours are limited; if you have an after-hours emergency, please contact:
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Veterinary Emergency Center (Cary St.) 353-9000
Veterinary Emergency Center South (Midlothian) 744-9800
Veterinary Referral & Critical Care Center (Manakin-Sabot) 784-8722
Richmond SPCA will treat at our clinic, at minimal cost, any post-op complications resulting directly from the
surgery, if the above post-operative instructions are followed in full. We cannot be held responsible for
complications resulting from failure to follow post-op instructions, or for contagious disease for
which the animal was not previously properly vaccinated.
Your regular veterinarian must address illnesses or injuries that are not a direct result of surgery.
Robins-Starr Humane Center . 2519 Hermitage Road . Richmond, VA 23220 . www.richmondspca.org