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PRE-OP AND POST-OP ADVICE

PRE-OPERATION CHECKLIST

We know how worrying it can be when your pet is being admitted for surgery, so below is a quick check list to focus on before admission. 


Please run through this before your pet's operation and on the day of surgery. 

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1. Is your pet well?

2. Have you noticed any of the following - reduced energy, vomiting, diarrhoea, reduced appetite?

3. Has your pet been starved or 6 hours before admission?

4. Has your pet been to the toilet?

5. Could your pet be carrying parasites - fleas, worms or ticks?

6. Has your pet been imported from another country?

7. Have you read and understood the consent form? 

8. If your pet is on a special diet have you brought some with you?

9. Have you read and understood the discharge advice?

10. If your pet is on medication have you brought it with you today?

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Please be sure to also check the discharge advice. 

DISCHARGE ADVICE

Please note that this discharge information is generalised for routine anaesthesia and surgical procedures. If your pet has had a non routine and/or complicated procedure there will likely be other advice that we will discuss with you on discharge of your pet. 

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MEDICATIONS

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Medications given at discharge normally start the day after surgery. Any change to this will be discussed on discharge and will be on the label on your medication. Your pet will likely be sore or tired for the next few days. Please continue reading for additional information about the procedure and instructions about caring for your pet once you return home.

INTRAVENOUS (IV) CATHETER

Your pet may have had an IV (intravenous) IV catheter placed on one of their legs - if so there will be a bandage on the leg. A shaved area on one of and some mild bruising is normal. The bandage can be removed about half an hour after returning home.


RESTRICTED ACTIVITY

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Please restrict your pet’s activity for the next 10–14 days. So no walking off-lead, running, jumping. If they sleep upstairs or sit on furniture please carry or lift them, and if there are other pets at home, do not allow play.

GENERAL ANAESTHESIA

Your pet was placed under general anaesthesia as part of their procedure. Anaesthetic drugs can take a number of hours to wear off and may cause some patients, especially older patients, to appear drowsy for 24–48 hours. Please keep your pet warm and dry during this time as the drugs may decrease your pet’s body temperature. You may notice a slight cough for up to 48 hours due to irritation of the trachea (windpipe) from placement of the tube during anaesthesia.


Anaesthesia can make your pet vomit if they eats or drinks a large volume after surgery. Please feed half of your pet’s diet tonight, and resume normal feeding tomorrow morning. It is normal to notice a decrease in activity or appetite for 1 or 2 days as well as lack of a bowel movement for 24–36 hours after surgery. If you have any questions please to contact the hospital.

E-COLLAR

When discharged with an e-collar please try keep the collar on at all times and keep it clean and dry. Your pet can eat and drink while wearing it.


SUTURE CARE

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Sutures are normally under the skin - just because your pet cant see them it doesn’t mean that a determined pet cant remove them! Please dont allow your pet to lick the incision until it is healed. 

Keep a close eye on the incision - look for swelling, redness and discharge, as these may be signs of infection or a reaction to the suture material. A little redness is normal for a couple of days after any surgery but if you're not sure please call the practice.

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