Recovery instructions vary by operation. Keep the discharge sheet nearby and contact us whenever something does not match what you were told to expect.
Your first steps
What to do at home
- Create a warm, quiet recovery area away from stairs.
- Restrict running, jumping and rough play.
- Keep dressings and incisions clean and dry.
- Use a lead for short toilet walks if advised.
- Record medicine times to avoid missed or duplicate doses.
Things that often settle
- Tiredness on the first evening
- A smaller appetite after anaesthesia
- Mild swelling close to an incision
- Moving more carefully than usual
Things we want to know about
- Collapse, breathing difficulty or pale gums
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Severe pain despite medication
- Repeated vomiting or a swollen abdomen
- A damaged bandage or open incision
Medication safety
Only give what has been prescribed.
Human painkillers—including ibuprofen and paracetamol—can be dangerous to pets. Contact the practice before adding, stopping or changing any medicine.