Dogs and cats require careful attention and care after being spayed to ensure a healthy recovery and to prevent complications. The recovery period after spaying is about seven to 10 days. During this time your cat or dog must be allowed to heal in a quiet, safe, comforting environment, and assessed daily for signs of infection, pain and healing. Be sure to discuss proper post-operative care with your veterinarian before taking your pet home.
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General Care
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Do not give your pet food or water earlier than your veterinarian recommends. Anesthesia can cause stomach upset and adding food to the gastrointestinal system too soon following spaying can lead to vomiting and possibly diarrhea.
Provide pain medications or antibiotics to your pet as instructed by your veterinarian. Administer pain medication if your dog or cat shows signs of pain, such as hiding, agitation or a general appearance of discomfort.
Restrict your pet̵7;s physical activity until the sutures have come out or have dissolved, depending on the type, usually within seven to 10 days. Excessive jumping, playing or running may loosen stitches or cause them to break open. Consult your veterinarian immediately if the incision opens, or sutures come loose, which could cause bleeding and infection.
Watch your pet during her recovery time to ensure urination and bowel movements are normal. Normal bowel and bladder functions generally resume the day after surgery, and inability to urinate or straining during urination, or excessive diarrhea, may indicate a complication.
Incision Care
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Caring for the incision is important to prevent infection. Inspect your pet̵7;s incision twice per day, or as instructed by your veterinarian. Look for signs of infection such as redness around the incision line, bleeding, pus or foul-smelling drainage. Small bumps around the sutures (stitches) can be a normal skin reaction, and may drain clear fluid if disturbed.
Dog and cats have a natural tendency to care for wounds by licking, however, prevent your pet from licking her incision as much as possible. Continual licking can actually break skin, causing infection, or disturb stitches. If your pet won't stop licking or chewing the wound, she may need an Elizabethan collar. Consult with your veterinarian with any concerns or questions about the appearance of the incision.
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