Home care instructions for surgery patients

  • After anesthesia, the pet can go home when they are awake
  • You will receive the necessary medicines and/or prescriptions as well as written home care instructions when you take your pet home
  • In connection with some surgeries, so-called pain patch. The patch is life-threatening if swallowed, so it is important to ensure that the patient, other household pets or children do not get access to it. The patch is removed and disposed of according to separate instructions.
  • Make sure already at the clinic that it is clear to you what medicines will be given and when
  • It’s good to have a warm blanket or jacket with your pet on the way home
  • At home, the pet should be put to rest in a warm place where other animals or children will not disturb it. The night after anesthesia, the animal should be kept at rest. Urine or excrement damage can happen during the evening. Food and water can be offered when the pet is fully awake.
  • Patients under anesthesia receive intravenous fluid therapy. The cannula has been placed in the animal’s leg, and a band-aid is applied to it at the clinic. The bandage can be removed at home after about an hour.
  • If there is a wound patch over the surgical wound, it is removed according to separate instructions (usually within 1-2 days). It is recommended to wet the wound patch with warm water, so that it comes off more easily.
  • The surgical wound does not need to be specially treated, unless you have been instructed otherwise. The wound should be kept clean and dry. If the wound gets wet or dirty, e.g. when outdoors, it is sprayed clean and dried by gently patting. The wound should not be rubbed.
  • If the wound turns red, swells, secretes or feels particularly hot, contact our clinic
  • The pet must not lick the wound! This is prevented by wearing a collar or wound dressing for 10-14 days or as long as specifically instructed.
  • If there are removable stitches in the wound, they can usually be removed 10-14 days after the operation. You can book a nurse’s appointment for tick removal if there is no need for a veterinary check-up at the same visit.
  • We recommend avoiding free movement and rioting as well as fast movements for two weeks after surgery
  • Neurological and orthopedic patients are always given individual exercise and rehabilitation instructions!