Post amputation instructions

 Your pet has undergone surgery and is now being discharged for continued care at your home. Your job during the recovery period at home is just as important as the surgical procedure that was performed. As part of your pet's post-operative care, Sylvan Veterinary Hospital recommends you closely adhere  to the following instructions;
 

• Activity Restriction: Your pet needs to have their activity restricted for the following 10-14 days.  Activity restriction includes no off leash running, playing, jumping.  Time spent indoors should be restricted to crate rest and decreased activity. You may use a towel as sling for support during leash walks. If you are having a difficult time keeping your pet calm and quiet, please let us know so that the doctor may prescribe medications/mild sedatives for them. 

• E-Collar: It is also imperative that they do not lick at their incision for the following 10-14 days.  An elizabethan collar (cone, lamp shade, etc) should be applied to your pet if you find them licking at the incision.  The collar should be worn at all times when they are unsupervised to ensure they are not licking at the incision.  The incision should remain dry, so this also means that your pet should not be bathed during recovery.

• Daily Incision Monitoring: Monitor the incision for any severe redness, discharge, or swelling.  Mild swelling and redness are normal and part of the healing process.   If you notice that your pet is lethargic or inappetant, please call Sylvan Veterinary Hospital immediately. Sutures that are absorbable and  do not need removed can take up to 45 days to fully absorb, if however after 14 days they are starting to bother your pet we can remove them at any time.

• Feeding: Whenever you get home, you should offer your pet ½ of their normal amount of food and a small amount of water. If your pet does not vomit within 30 minutes, they may have the rest of their normal meal, and dinner again that night. If your pet does vomit, they may just be a little nauseous from the anesthesia so do not offer any more food or water for another 2-3 hours. By the morning after surgery we expect them to have eaten the equivalent of one meal. You may have to entice your pets appetite by offering high value foods/treats (i.e. toast, cheese, hot dog, chicken) to encourage their appetite. If 24 hours after bringing your pet home from surgery he is still not eating, please contact our office.   

• Pain Control: Your pet will be sent home with any necessary medications  to help with pain and inflammation post-op. They will likely start the day following the procedure, refer to your patients pill vials for more detailed medication instructions.

• Litter for Cats:  Please refrain from using normal cat litter for the next 10-14 days. You will be provided with one bag of Yesterday's News that you will use in place of the normal litter.   This will reduce the chance of infection occurring at the amputation site. You will also want to ensure that your cat is able to easily get in and out of their litter box. This may mean that you need to purchase a shallow box with low sides, and uncovered boxes may be easiest for your cat to get in and out of.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if any questions or concerns arise. Thank you for entrusting Sylvan Veterinary Hospital with your pet's care.