Post-surgical Instructions

• Keep your pet quiet with no undue exercise for several days (keep dogs indoors or on leash when outside). 
• You may bathe your pet three to five days following surgery provided you use care with the incision line.  Place petroleum jelly over the incision prior to bathing the animal and keep the incision as dry as possible.  If you see your pet licking excessively at the surgical site we highly recommend that you purchase an "Elizabethan" collar (many pet stores carry these) to prevent damage to the area.  Leave the collar on a minimum of one week from the time of surgery. 
• On the first evening following the procedure it is not unusual for your animal to experience nausea, listlessness and a loss of appetite. For this reason we recommend that you offer only small quantities of food and water per feeding for the first 12 to 24 hours following the operation (wait until after 5 p.m. for dogs and 8 p.m. for cats to initially offer food or water). If your pet continues to display behavior that concerns you after the first day, please call and talk to one of the veterinary staff during normal operating hours. 
• The suture used to close the surgical incision is absorbable and will not have to be removed (this does not apply to cat castrations which typically are not sutured).  Some tissue reaction to the buried suture material is normal; however, it is extremely important that you observe the incision two to three times daily during the first week for excessive swelling (greater than the thickness of your finger), drainage, or gaping open.  If any of these occurs, bring the animal to the shelter to be examined by the veterinary staff during business hours. Animal Services will assist you and your pet with problems specifically related to the surgical procedure.

Should you believe that a true emergency exists after hours, call the Animal Services’ answering service (727) 582-2600 to receive further instructions. 

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