Helping Your Pet Recover From Spay/Neuter Surgery

February is Spay/Neuter Awareness Month! If your furry buddy hasn’t been fixed yet, we recommend getting this done as soon as possible. This will not only help prevent unwanted litters, it will also help curb many behavioral issues. A local San Antonio, TX vet offers some tips on helping your four-legged pal recover below.

Comfy Bedding

Your pet will be pretty sleepy when they get home, and will likely spend most of the next few days snoozing. Make sure they have a comfy bed to recover in. This is a great time to get a new one!

Scheduling

If possible, schedule the surgery so that you can stay home with your furry friend for a few days. (If you’re working from home, of course, this will be easy.) If you do need to leave for work, just try to come right home after.

Warning Signs

Spay/neuter surgery is very routine, and usually goes smoothly. However, complications can occur. Keep an eye on the surgical site, and your pet in general. You’ll want to look for redness, swelling, or pus around the stitches. Foul odors, bleeding, and ripped stitches are also red flags, as are things like fever, vomiting, trembling, diarrhea, and lack of appetite. Call your vet immediately if you notice any of these warning signs.

Instructions

Your vet will give you specific aftercare instructions. Be sure to read these carefully, and follow instructions to the letter. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, either!

Stitch Care

Your cute patient may be given an Elizabethan collar, or perhaps an inflatable one, to help keep them from worrying at their stitches. It’s probably safe to say that they will not be particularly happy about this. Remember that it’s for their own good! If your pet seems so distressed by the collar that they’re actively trying to escape it, ask your vet for advice.

Activity

Boys typically recover more quickly than girls, but both sexes should be completely healed in about two weeks. Don’t encourage your furry friend to run or play vigorously until your vet gives you the thumbs-up. This is one area where it’s best to err on the side of caution. There will be plenty of time for playing down the road!

Do you need to schedule spay/neuter surgery? Contact us, your local San Antonio, TX veterinary clinic, today!