Post Op Care

To our Patient's caregivers,

You're doing an excellent job in taking care of our Patient. Your veterinary team will keep assisting you in maintaining proper health. Dr. Mayo wanted to provide you with this important information regarding your visit today.

Anesthesia

• Due to anesthesia potentially reducing tear production, an ointment might have been applied to the eyes for protection during sleep if necessary. The oily residue will gradually disappear over the next few days.

• Due to the anesthesia, our patient might feel drowsy and unsteady for the next 1-2 hours. Nonetheless, some pets experience the opposite effect and appear more restless or whiny.

• An IV catheter was placed to administer IV fluids, anesthesia and other medication.

• The fur has been shaved. Contact us if you observe excessive licking of the area or if it becomes red or irritated. The fur might take some time to grow back.

• If a bandage was applied where the catheter was inserted (typically on the front leg), take off the bandage after 1 hour

Feeding Instructions

• To prevent nausea, refrain from providing food as soon as you get home. Wait for about 1-2 hours.

• If our patient is hungry, provide about half of the normal amount of food.

• Some pets have a decreased appetite for 1-2 days following surgery.

Water Restrictions

• To avoid nausea, offer water in small amounts, every 1-2 hours until they are no longer thirsty

• Then you can leave the bowl full as usual.

Discharge Instructions

• Keep the e-collar in place for a minimum of two weeks.

• If your pet hasn't eaten for over 24 hours, please contact the clinic where the surgery was performed.

• If you notice any discharge from the wound, please call us.

• Finish all medications as prescribed.

• Return in two weeks for suture removal.

• A bowel movement might not occur for as long as 5 to 7 days.

For Orthopedic Surgeries Only

• Follow the Rehab Guide www.topdoghealth.com. You may also wish to pursue rehabilitation therapy from a certified therapist for animals.

• Apply ice to the leg indirectly 2-3 times a day, as tolerated, for 5 days. Some swelling in the hock is normal.

• Keep the surgical site clean daily with warm wet wash cloth and soap, dab never scrub. Use distilled water.

• Do not allow off-leash running and avoid steps.

• Return in 2 weeks for suture removal at the clinic where the surgery was conducted or at your regular veterinarian's office.

• Return in 8-10 weeks for follow up radiographs.

Post Operative Complications (orthopedics only)

• Infection can occur up to 1 year or more after surgery

• Implant failure is rare; however, the plate may fracture, or the screws might shift or become loose.

• Fracture at the end of the plate or in front of it

• Post-luminal meniscal tear ("clunking" or a "click") is common

• Poor or delayed recovery of leg function can take up to 6 months.

• Osteoarthritis is very common

• The opposite knee tearing an ACL, more common in larger dogs

• Rarely, bone tumors can develop with implants, rare.

• Pivot shift, seen with weakness or a meniscal tear after surgery.

Seek immediate veterinary care if........

• The Incision has signs of redness, swelling, discharge, or if any sutures are missing.

• Patient seems agitated or uncomfortable for more than 2 hours.

• Has difficulty breathing.

• Begins squinting their eyes for more than 1 hour at a time.

• Develops any wounds on their body.

• Refuses to eat or drink for more than 12 hours.

• Has diarrhea for more than 12 hours.

• Vomits more than three times in 12 hours.

• Begins bumping into objects.

Thank you!

Contact the hospital where you had this procedure performed with any concerns and follow up. Please call or text our clinic at 425-967-7999 with any questions for Dr Mayo or concerns regarding the procedure performed today or recovery issues.