Your dog is recovering from major surgery and anaesthesia and requires continued support and nursing care at home to ensure a successful outcome. During the recovery period of approximately 10–14 days, home care is extremely important.
This guide is intended to complement the discharge instructions provided by your veterinarian. If your veterinary team has provided different advice for your dog, always follow their recommendations.
What to expect after surgery
It is normal for your dog to experience some mild effects while recovering from surgery and anaesthesia.
Your dog may experience:
- Grogginess
- Decreased appetite for 24–48 hours
- Decreased bowel movements for 1–2 days after returning home
- Mild bruising and discomfort the day after surgery
- Mild cough for 2–3 days after surgery due to irritation from the anaesthetic tube
- Mild clipper rash at the surgery site
These signs are generally expected during the first few days of recovery and should gradually improve.
Activity
We strongly recommend strict confinement for the 10–14 days following surgery.
Keeping your dog indoors and walking them on a lead for toilet breaks will help you manage exercise restrictions. If you need to leave your dog alone, always confine them to a crate, small room or a designated area in the home.
Strict confinement means:
- No jumping
- No running
- No stairs
- No rough play
It is important to note that excessive activity can lead to injury or serious complications, potentially resulting in the surgical incision failing to heal and may necessitate further surgery.
Elizabethan collar
Your veterinary team may recommend a recovery suit or protective collar to help prevent your pet from licking or chewing their wound while it heals.
If your dog excessively licks the incision site, we can provide a protective collar (Elizabethan collar) to prevent this behaviour.
Licking can lead to the removal of sutures and the opening of the incision. If an Elizabethan collar has been recommended, it is important that your dog wears it as directed by your veterinarian.
Incision care
The area around the incision will have been clipped and sterilised prior to surgery.
For females, the incision will be on the abdomen. For males, the incision will be in the groin area.
Please check the incision site 1–2 times each day.
Some bruising and inflammation around the incision are expected. The skin may appear inflamed for a few days, which is referred to as clipper rash.
If you notice any of the following signs, contact your veterinary practice immediately:
- Increasing redness
- Swelling
- Discharge
- Unpleasant odour coming from the incision
If external sutures are present they will require removal between 10-14days after surgery, or as directed by your veterinarian.
Owners need to monitor for significant discomfort shown by pet.
Desexing ear tattoo
Your dog will receive a desexing tattoo or earmark in the ear at the time of desexing.
Bathing and suture removal
It is important to avoid bathing your dog until at least 10 days after surgery or until the sutures have been removed, as advised by your veterinarian.
Diet
A general anaesthetic can make pets drowsy and nauseous. You may find your dog does not want to eat or may vomit on the night of surgery. Reduced appetite and isolated vomiting may be normal. Feed a small meal once home / following surgery – if your pet eats well with no vomiting then you can provide more food an hour or two later.
Long – term, your dog will require fewer calories as they adapt to a lower metabolism. A good rule of thumb is to reduce their food intake by 30%.
Specific ‘neutered animal’ diets are available and may be recommended.
When to contact your veterinarian
Please contact your local veterinary team if your dog:
- Is licking at the incision site
- Cannot be confined
- Has difficulty toileting
- Has pale gums
- Is off food after 24 hours post – surgery
- Is vomiting after 24 hours post – surgery
- If you have any concerns
We encourage open communication and are here to support you and your dog throughout their recovery.
