Post-Surgery Care: Helping Your Pet Recover

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The First 24 Hours

The first 24 hours after anaesthesia are typically the most challenging. Your pet may be groggy, disoriented, unsteady on their feet, or unusually quiet. This is normal as the anaesthetic agents are metabolised. Keep your pet in a warm, quiet, confined space. Offer small amounts of water once fully conscious; delay food until they are fully alert (typically 4–6 hours post-discharge) to reduce nausea risk.

Managing the Wound

• Keep it dry: No bathing, swimming or rain exposure for at least 10–14 days
• Check daily: Normal healing shows mild redness and swelling for 2–3 days, followed by gradual improvement. The wound edges should be coming together.
• Warning signs: Excessive swelling, discharge (especially yellow/green or smelly), opening of the wound, or extreme redness warrant immediate contact with us
• No licking or chewing: Use the E-collar (cone) or medical recovery suit continuously until sutures are removed or we give the all-clear — even if your pet seems unbothered. Saliva contains bacteria and can cause wound breakdown

Pain Management at Home

We will prescribe appropriate pain relief tailored to your pet's procedure and individual needs. Give medications exactly as directed — do not increase the dose if you think your pet is uncomfortable, but do contact us. Never give human pain medications (ibuprofen, paracetamol/acetaminophen, aspirin) to pets — these are toxic and potentially fatal.

Activity Restriction

Activity restriction is one of the most important aspects of post-surgical recovery — and the hardest to enforce. For most soft tissue surgeries: strict rest for 7–14 days (short lead walks to toilet only, no running, jumping or stairs). For orthopaedic procedures: a structured rehabilitation plan of 6–12 weeks is standard, often with physiotherapy. Return to full activity only with veterinary clearance.

Suture Removal

Most non-absorbable sutures are removed 10–14 days post-surgery. Some procedures use internal absorbable sutures that do not require removal. Your discharge paperwork will specify. Always attend the suture removal appointment — this is also when we assess healing and address any concerns.

Signs That Require Immediate Contact

• Wound opening, separation of edges, or visible internal tissue
• Heavy bleeding that doesn't stop with gentle pressure
• Refusal to eat or drink for more than 24 hours post-surgery
• Vomiting or diarrhoea persisting more than 24 hours
• Extreme lethargy or collapse
• Difficulty breathing
• Signs of pain not controlled by prescribed medication
• Swollen, hot or very painful surgical site
• Fever (rectal temperature above 39.5°C)
• Pale, white or blue gums