Bringing your pet home after surgery is an important step in their recovery. While every procedure is different, most pets require similar care during the first few days after an operation.
Following your veterinarian’s instructions carefully will help your pet recover safely and comfortably.
This guide is intended to complement the discharge instructions provided by your veterinarian. If your veterinary team has provided different advice for your pet, always follow their recommendations.
Before you bring your pet home
Before leaving the clinic, make sure you have:
- All prescribed medications and instructions
- Details of any recheck, bandage change or suture removal appointment
- Your clinic’s after – hours emergency contact details
- Being prepared before arriving home will help make your pet’s recovery as smooth as possible.
Recovering from anaesthesia
Most pets receive a general anaesthetic during surgery. Although the procedure is complete, the effects of anaesthesia can take several hours to wear off and may last longer in older pets.
Your pet may experience:
- Sleepiness or grogginess for 24–48 hours
- Mild nausea
- A mild dry cough caused by the breathing tube used during anaesthesia
- These effects are usually temporary and should gradually improve.
If coughing persists or your pet has difficulty breathing, contact your veterinary practice immediately.
Feeding your pet
When you arrive home:
- Provide access to fresh water but avoid allowing excessive drinking initially.
- If your pet keeps water down for approximately one hour, offer a small amount of food.
Most pets should be returning to their normal eating and drinking habits within 12 hours after surgery.
If your pet is bright and has not vomited overnight, normal feeding can usually resume the following morning.
General care at home
Depending on the procedure, your veterinarian may recommend temporary activity restrictions.
General recovery advice includes:
- Follow all confinement instructions
- Avoid slippery floors
- Prevent jumping and running
- Do not bathe your pet until advised
- Monitor urination and bowel movements
- Attend all scheduled recheck appointments
Orthopaedic procedures will generally require longer periods of restricted activity than routine surgeries.
Medications
Your veterinarian may prescribe medications to:
- Relieve pain
- Reduce inflammation
- Help prevent infection
Always administer medications exactly as directed and complete the prescribed course unless instructed otherwise by your veterinarian.
Caring for sutures
Mild swelling and inflammation around the suture line are normal during the first few days after surgery.
To help the incision heal:
- Check the wound every day.
- Keep the area clean and dry.
- Restrict exercise.
- Walk your pet on a lead for toilet breaks if instructed.
- Prevent jumping and running.
- Do not allow swimming or bathing until the wound has healed.
Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice:
- Swelling beneath the incision
- Bleeding
- Discharge
- An unpleasant smell
- Opened sutures
Suture removal is commonly scheduled 10–14 days after surgery, although some pets receive dissolvable sutures that do not require removal.
Elizabethan collar
If your pet licks, chews or scratches at the wound, your veterinarian may recommend an Elizabethan collar (cone).
This helps protect the incision and reduces the risk of infection or wound breakdown.
Bandage care
If your pet has a bandage or cast:
- Keep it clean and dry at all times.
- Cover it with a temporary plastic bag when walking outside in wet weather.
- Remove the plastic bag immediately afterwards and never leave it on for more than 30 minutes.
- Follow your veterinarian’s instructions regarding bandage changes.
Contact your veterinarian if:
- The bandage slips
- The bandage becomes wet
- Bleeding appears through the bandage
- Swelling develops above or below the bandage
- Your pet seems distressed
- The bandage develops an unusual smell
When to contact your veterinarian
Please contact your veterinary team if your pet:
- Vomits for more than 24 hours
- Remains lethargic or depressed for more than 24 hours
- Refuses food for more than 48 hours
- Develops diarrhoea
- Has bleeding
- Has broken or opened sutures
- Has difficulty breathing
- If you have any concerns about their recovery
- We’re here to support both you and your pet throughout the recovery process.
