CARING FOR YOUR PET AFTER SURGERY

MINN-KOTA PAAWS SPAY/NEUTER POST-OP INSTRUCTIONS

ACTIVITY: For the next 7-10 days, keep your pet indoors in a quiet, dry, warm place. No strenuous activity or exercise should be permitted. 

· Dogs should be walked on leash for exercise/potty breaks. No dog parks/rough play.

· Ensure cats are not climbing cat trees/furniture for 24 hours after surgery; their balance may be poor due to the effects of anesthesia and there is a possibility they could fall and injure themselves.

PAIN MEDICATIONS: Your pet received injectable pain medication prior to their surgery. These medications will remain in their system for 24 hours.

CATS: Cats generally do not require additional pain medication; please notify us if you think your cat is uncomfortable/in pain.

DOGS: Dogs are sent home with 3 days of pain medication, either a liquid or tablet to be given once daily.  Pain medication should be given once a day, in the morning, starting the morning after surgery. Please give with food. Do not give with any other NSAID or steroid medications. Do not use if there is any vomiting or diarrhea. Do not give your pet any human pain medication.

INCISION CARE: In female pets the uterus and ovaries are removed through a small incision in the abdominal wall. In male pets the scrotum is not removed, only the testicles. Male cats will have two small incisions on their scrotum where the testicles were removed, male dogs will have one incision near the base of their penis. 

· Keep the incision dry. Your pet should not go swimming, have any baths, or go to the groomer for at least 14 days after surgery. 

· Do not apply any topical creams or ointments to the incision. 

· Dogs must wear an E Collar (cone) anytime they are not being directly supervised, or at night for 7-10 days after surgery. Damage to the incision due to licking is by far our most often seen post-op complication. 

· Cats are not sent home with E Collars. If your cat is licking their incision you can purchase a cone at PAAWS ($5) or any pet supply store. Damage to the incision due to licking is by far our most often seen post-op complication. 

· Check your pet’s incision site twice daily. Your pet’s incision is closed with dissolvable sutures and surgical adhesive (except male cats—they have two small incisions on their scrotums that are left open to heal on their own). As long as the incision is kept dry and the pet doesn’t damage the incision, it should heal on its own, with no intervention. Strenuous activity will disrupt the healing process, please keep your pet calm and quiet during the post-op period (10 days). 

· Your pet will have a small tattoo next to their incision; this tattoo indicates to other veterinary professionals that your pet has been spayed/neutered.

VACCINATIONS: If your cat received a FVRCP vaccine or if your dog received a Distemper vaccine, they may need to be boostered in 14-21 days for maximum effectiveness. Minn-Kota PAAWS does not offer booster vaccines, any further vaccinations will need to be discussed and administered by your full-service veterinarian.

FEEDING: Your pet may have a suppressed appetite for a day or two after surgery. Do not change your pet’s diet at this time, only feed what your pet is used to eating. Your pet can eat as soon as they get home from surgery.

MICROCHIPS: If your pet received a microchip Minn-Kota PAAWS will register your microchip in the free Michelson Found Animals Registry at found.org with the contact information you provided on your pet’s intake form.

· NEW USERS: If you don’t have an account on found.org you can expect an email in the next 3-7 days. Keep an eye on your junk/spam folders. 

· EXISTING USERS: If you already have an account on found.org use your existing info to log in and verify that your pet is registered to your account. 

· QUESTIONS? Email registryhelp@found.orgdirectly for assistance. Minn-Kota PAAWS staff cannot change registration info once it has been sent in to the Michelson Found Animals Registry, you’ll need to contact them directly for help.

· REMINDER: Your pet’s microchip is only as good at the registration info attached to it. Log in to ensure that all contact information is correct. If your phone number, address, or email changes update the Registry with that information. You can also upload your pet’s photo and vet records. Making sure your pet’s file is as complete as possible will increase your chances of you and your pet being reunited should they become lost.

AFTER HOURS QUESTIONS/CONCERNS: If there are any issues directly related to your pet’s surgery during the recovery period (10 days following your pets spay/neuter surgery) please contact us at:

(701) 356-0523 (calls only) between the hours of 7:30 – 5:00 pm Monday – Thursday
(701) 793-0602 (call or text) after regular business hours 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm Monday – Thursday 

** For emergent assistance please contact the Red River Animal Emergency Hospital (701) 478-9299. 

Any treatment obtained at a clinic other than Minn-Kota PAAWS is the financial responsibility of the pet owner. Minn-Kota PAAWS cannot be held responsible for any animals requiring attention after business hours. Minn-Kota PAAWS cannot be held responsible for complications resulting from a failure to follow post op instructions or for contagious diseases for which the animal was not previously properly vaccinated. Minn-Kota PAAWS will treat any complications arising from surgery at our clinic at minimal or no cost if it is determined the discharge instructions are followed in full.