Post-operation information

Your pet has been in the best possible hands today. Here’s everything you need to help them recover well at home. Always follow your discharge instructions first.

The advice below is general guidance to support, not replace, the specific instructions our team has given you at collection.

The first 24 hours

It’s completely normal for your pet to seem a little drowsy, wobbly or out of sorts after an anaesthetic. You may also notice clipped patches of hair at the operation site and on the foreleg where the anaesthetic was administered. Give them a quiet, warm space to rest and try not to fuss too much, they’ll let you know when they’re ready for attention. Most pets recover quickly and are much more themselves by the following morning. If at any point you feel something isn’t right, trust your instincts and give us a call.

General aftercare

Rest and environment

Settle your pet into a comfortable, warm, quiet space away from children and other pets. Avoid stairs, jumping and rough play. A low, soft bed gives them somewhere to stretch out without pressure on any sensitive areas.

Food and water

Offer a small amount of food and water when you get home – don’t worry if they’re not hungry straight away. We normally recommend easily digestible food in small portions for the first day or two. We can provide a recovery diet if you’d like one.

Medications

Read the label carefully and give all medication exactly as prescribed. Never give human medicines to your pet – many that are safe for us are toxic to pets. If you’re unsure about dosing or timing, call us before you give anything.

Wound care

Keep any wound or dressing clean and dry for at least 10 days. Don’t bathe your pet or let them swim. Check the wound daily – a little redness in the first couple of days is normal, but any swelling, discharge or smell needs prompt attention.

Buster collars and medical shirts

If your pet has been sent home with a buster collar or medical shirt, please use it – especially when you’re not watching them. Licking or chewing at stitches introduces bacteria and can cause infection or reopen the wound.

Stitches and follow-up

Stitches are usually removed 10–14 days after the operation. Some pets have internal stitches that dissolve on their own – your discharge sheet will confirm this. We arrange a post-operative check-up appointment before you leave.

Dogs

At home

Short lead walks to the toilet only – no running, jumping or off-lead exercise until your vet says otherwise.
Restrict access to stairs, sofas and beds during recovery.
Confine to a small room or crate if strict rest has been advised – especially important after orthopaedic surgery.
No rough play or interaction with other dogs during the rest period.

Things to watch

Eating and drinking normally within a few hours of getting home.
Going to the toilet as normal – contact us if no urine has been passed within 12 hours.
Gums are a healthy pink colour – pale or white gums need immediate attention.
No persistent vomiting – the odd bout in the first few hours can be normal.
Wound remains clean, dry and free from discharge or odour.

Dogs often mask pain by seeming bright and normal. If yours seems reluctant to settle or is unusually restless, please give us a call.

Cats

At home

Keep your cat indoors with a litter tray for at least the first night and until advised by your vet.
Prevent jumping onto or down from worktops, window sills and furniture.
Provide a quiet, warm space away from other pets and children.
Use a buster collar or medical shirt to stop them interfering with the wound.
After castration, keep indoors for at least one week.

Things to watch

- Eating and drinking – some reluctance in the first few hours is normal.
- Using the litter tray – contact us if not passing urine within 24 hours.
- Recovering steadily – they should be more themselves by the next morning.
- Wound is dry and clean with no swelling, excessive redness or discharge.
- Signs of pain: hiding away, not eating, crying or seeming very flat.

Cats that hide are often in pain. If yours has disappeared and won’t come out for food, please give us a call.

Rabbits and small pets

At home

Start syringe feeding with an appropriate product if they won’t eat independently – available from the practice.
Gentle exercise is encouraged after most procedures to help keep the gut moving.
Keep their environment warm and draught-free
Most rabbits have internal stitches, but still prevent them from bothering the wound.
Provide plenty of hay – gut movement is essential for rabbit health.

Things to watch

Eating – rabbits must start eating as soon as possible after any procedure.
Toilet – check that droppings are appearing and look normal in size and consistency.
Contact us immediately if your rabbit has not eaten or passed droppings by the next morning.
Signs of gut stasis: bloating, no droppings, reluctance to move, teeth grinding.

Gut stasis in rabbits is a medical emergency. If your rabbit is not eating or producing droppings by the following morning, contact us immediately.

When to call use

Contact us immediately if you notice any of the following

Pale, white or bluish gums – this is a serious sign and needs urgent attention.
Difficulty breathing or rapid, laboured respiration.
Persistent vomiting or retching more than a few hours after getting home.
Continual bleeding or fluid seeping from the wound or incision site.
Excessive swelling, heat or a bad smell coming from the wound.
Not eating, very flat or failing to improve by the following morning.
Rabbits: no droppings and not eating by the following morning.
Anything that doesn’t feel right – you know your pet best.

If it’s outside of our opening hours, please call Vets Now on 0141 332 3212 – Glasgow’s 24-hour hospital for pet emergencies.

Please note: ScotVet does not hospitalise inpatients overnight at either branch. If your pet requires continued overnight care, we will contact you to arrange collection and transfer to Vets Now for overnight monitoring.

If you have any concerns about your pet’s recovery, please don’t hesitate to Call Us.

We’re always happy to help.

The ScotVet team