Emergency Line: 480-594-1866 | What to do after SUrgery!

Restrict Activity

No Running, jumping, playing for 10-14 days
Leash Walk Only
Cage rest if your pet needs to be further restricted.
If your cat is indoor/outdoor - they need to be kept inside for 10-14 days.
We recommend keeping your pet away from other animals to discourage playing or grooming which would irritate the incision. It is especially important to keep puppies or kittens away from females.

Bathing & Getting Wet

No bathing or getting wet for 10-14 days.
We suggest bathing your pet the day before surgery if you want them to be fresh and clean.

Licking & Chewing at Incision

E-Collars

(Elizabethan Collar, Cone of Shame, Lamp Shade)

They are recommended for any dog or cat that may lick or chew at the incision.

We sell them for: $20.00

The Fine Print: If you allow your pet to lick and chew at the incision site, you may have to pay extra medical expenses to your local veterinarian and/or an emergency veterinary hospital. These charges could be well into the hundreds of dollars.

If the Elizabethan collar is not used or instructions not followed, fixing the damage a pet does to the incision will be done at the owner’s expense through their local veterinarian and/or emergency animal hospital.
Licking at the incision can put your pet's health at risk due to infection.
To help avoid this get an e-collar and monitor your pet, they deserve your full attention.

Checking the Incision & Stitches

Check your pet’s incision twice daily for swelling, bleeding, discharge, or wound opening. Some of these symptoms are expected and are not cause for alarm, but if it seems excessive, please call (480) 594-1866

Do not wash the incision, as this may introduce infection.
Never apply any topical ointments, creams or bandages over the incision as they may cause the sutures to absorb prematurely, causing the incision to open.
Band-Aids and bandages cause significant irritation to your pets skin and can lead to infection and serious complications.

Stitches

Your pet has buried absorbable stitches, also known as sutures, under their outer layer of skin. There is no need to return for suture removal for most pets. Some pets receive staples in their skin, normally due to the incision being larger than normal or if they were pregnant. If your pet has staples, they will need to be removed here in 10-14 days after surgery.

** If your pet requires a follow-up appointment for suture or staple removal, you will be told at the time of pick up.