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Discharge Instructions

Pet owner name

Pet name

Primary phone number

Alternate phone number

Procedure Performed:

Medication(s) being dispensed:

Restrictions in activity:

Restrictions in activity:

Recommend re-evaluation in: 10-14 days

These instructions are specific to your pet’s surgery and needs. Certainly some of what follows is a generalized version of discharge instructions but where specific requirements or recommendations are made you will see highlighted areas that you need to pay special attention to. Success with many surgical procedures is a combination of what we do, what your pet does, and what you do during the period before, during and after surgery. If the instructions are unclear or do not seem to make sense to you PLEASE ask questions.

Postoperative examinations and Suture Removal

Recheck examinations and subsequent procedures requiring bandages, radiographs (x-rays), anesthesia, etc that may be necessary are not included in the initial charges. However, suture removal is included in the cost of your pet's procedure.

Restriction in Activity 
We know how difficult it can be to restrict activity after surgery. Our recommendations are specific and should be followed as closely as possible. Some complications can many times be avoided completely just

by preventing too much activity in the immediate postoperative period. Our specific recommendations are highlighted and will be found in the following attached pages.

Pain Management Be sure you learn how to give any pain medication dispensed today before you leave. Note: not all patients

are released from the hospital with pain medication. In some instances, due to disease states or concomitant drug administration, pain medication is not dispensed.

Precautions That Should Be Observed After General Anesthesia

-Your pet may be groggy for about 12 hours after anesthesia. Therefore, it is important to assist your pet when getting into or out of automobiles, and walking and climbing up or down steps. At home, confine your pet to prevent accidents.
-Pacing, disorientation, and vocalization may occur on recovery. These signs may persist for 6-8 hours or more. Call your clinician if abnormal behavior persists.
-Food and water may be given (unless otherwise instructed by the clinician), but should be given only in small amounts.
-As the anesthetic agents wear off, your pet may experience slight discomfort. If your pet is in severe

pain, contact us, your veterinarian, or the emergency clinic immediately.

-It is best to restrict children from pets for 18 to 24 hours; your pet may experience residual anesthesia and possible postoperative pain.
-Check first with your veterinarian before giving your pet any non-prescription drugs (such as aspirin).
-A sore throat or cough may be caused by the endotracheal tube (tube placed down the wind-pipe for general anesthesia). This usually lasts no longer than 24 hours. If it persists, please consult your veterinarian.

Home Care Instructions for Surgical Incisions

Your pet has an incisional wound or in some cases numerous incisional wounds:

-Please check your pet’s incision site daily and take notice of any changes in appearance. Seroma (collection of bloody fluid) or dehiscence (break down and opening of the incision) are possible complications, especially with too much activity or tension at the surgery site.

-A certain amount of redness and swelling is normal for many wounds/incisions and is actually necessary for healing to begin. A noticeable increase in the degree of redness, pain, swelling, or drainage should be reported to your veterinarian or surgeon. It may or may not be a problem.

-Please do NOT use hydrogen peroxide to clean any wound. Warm soapy water is much preferred if

wound cleaning is necessary.

Y- our pet should not be allowed to lick, bite or chew at the incision site. If you find it impossible to stop your pet from doing this you should come in to the hospital and obtain an “Elizabethean” collar which is placed around the neck in order to prevent your pet from bothering the incision.