Before Surgery
· You will not be able to bathe your pet for two weeks after surgery, so now is your last chance!
The morning of the surgery
Your pet can have a small, soft or canned meal no later than 6:00 am on the morning of the procedure.
· Dogs: Take your pet for a potty walk to give them a chance for a bowel movement
· Drop off is no later than 7:15 am
· Mark the masses to be removed with a sharpie, especially if your pet has several growths/masses and you are not removing all of them. ( we also have hair chalk in the office- just ask!)
Recovery and Aftercare
Food and Water
You will be instructed to feed about a ¼ to ½ of your pet’s normal dinner at 8:00 pm on the evening of surgery.
Limit excessive water intake. Your pet may resume their normal diet the morning after surgery.
Eliminations
Your pet may not have a bowel movement for 24 to 36 hours after surgery; this is a normal as certain anesthetic and pain medications slow down gastric motility.
Medications
If medications are prescribed, Follow instructions carefully and note whether they should be given on the night following surgery or not until the morning after.
Exercise and Activity
· Gradually return your pet to normal activity
· Short walks are fine
· Restrict jumping and running for 5 days
The Cone of Shame
As your pet’s incision heals, it becomes itchy. Pets that don’t show initial interest in the area may still attempt to lick later. Be diligent about the E.Collar (cone) especially when you are not directly supervising your pet.
Monitor For
· loss of appetite for over two days
· weakness or lethargy
· vomiting/diarrhea
· Puffiness, oozing or opening of the incision site
Follow Up
· You will need to schedule a suture removal to be done 2 weeks after the surgery.
· If we have sent a sample of your pet’s mass to be analyzed at the lab, results should return within 7 days