Post Surgical Instructions Pets must be kept indoors where they can stay clean, dry and comfortable. Please limit their activity; no running, jumping, rowdy play, swimming, or other strenuous activity during the 7-10 day recovery time period. No bathing during this period. Dogs must be walked on a leash. Restrict an adult pet’s food intake to avoid stomach upset from anesthesia. Do not offer adult pets any food for the first 2 to 3 hours. After 2 to 3 hours you may offer food in very small amounts for the first 12 hours, but do not be concerned if your pet does not want to eat right away. Remove food until morning if vomiting occurs. Offer normal amounts of water. Kittens and puppies can be offered food and water upon returning home. Please check the incision site twice daily. There should not be any drainage. Redness and swelling should be minimal. Do not allow pet to lick or chew at the incision site. If this occurs, an Elizabethan collar or a product called “Bitter Apple” must be used to deter any licking and/or chewing. If pain medication has been prescribed, please follow the written instructions carefully. Do not give aspirin, Advil or Tylenol to your pet for pain relief. These medications can be deadly. Unless told otherwise, your pet does not have external sutures. All sutures are absorbable and the outer layer of skin is held together with surgical glue. Do not clean or apply topical ointment to the incision site. If you are told that your pet has skin sutures or skin staples, they will need to return in 7-10 days to have those removed. Male cats do not have any sutures. As the wound heals, there may be a firm lump under the incision as the absorbable sutures break down. Lethargy lasting for more than 24 hours post-op, diarrhea, or vomiting are abnormal and your pet should be examined by a veterinarian. Dogs may have a slight cough for a few days after surgery. Spaying and neutering are very safe surgeries; however, complications can occur. Minimal redness and swelling should resolve within several days. If it persists longer, please contact us. Please contact us immediately if you notice any of the following: pale gums depression vomiting diarrhea discharge or bleeding from the incision difficulty urinating labored breathing If your female dog or cat was in heat (estrus) at the time of surgery, you must keep them away from un-neutered males for at least two weeks. If a male tries to mate with her serious bleeding and trauma to the reproductive tract may occur, possibly leading to death. If you have any questions or concerns directly related to the surgery during the recovery time period, please do not hesitate to contact the clinic at 888 504-SPAY (7729). We can schedule a free recheck for you with one of our veterinarians if you are concerned about your pet’s recovery. You must schedule recheck appointments in advance – we cannot accommodate walk-ins.  AngelDogs Foundation will provide free rechecks only for surgery related ailments. Any self-inflicted ailments (caused by licking, excessive activity, etc) are at the owner’s expense. Any services rendered by outside veterinarians will not be covered by the AngelDogs Foundation.