Aug 20 2009
Before and after care on your spay and neuters
Dear Brew
My 6 month old Golden goes in to get spayed tomorrow morning and by the time I thought to call my vet they were closed. I was wondering if you could help me out by letting me know if it’s ok to give her breakfast before she goes for surgery tomorrow morning? I don’t know if you’ll check this before then, but if you do and you have an answer for me, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks!
Jenn
Dear Jenn
For spay and neuter procedures on both dog’s and cat’s, you will want take both their food and water away 12 hours before their scheduled visit to the vet.
Just like people they need to have an empty stomach for any full anesthesia. Feeding your pet can cause them to vomit in recovery and possible aspirate, which can cause complication in your pet’s recovery.
For after care on you pet after a spay or neuter, you will want to withhold food and water for another hour or two after getting home and then start with a small amount of water and if they do okay with that, give 1/4 to 1/2 of their regular meal.
If your pet should vomit after coming home (anesthesia can cause nausea in a lot of pets) pull all food and water for 12 more hours and repeat above instructions. If your pet is still vomiting, you will need to call your Vet.
Other things you will want to do is to check the incision site every day to make sure it is clean and dry and that your pet is not licking at it. Lick at the incision site will cause an infection, so you can try these tricks, if your pet is licking at the incision site, put on tee/sweat shirt ( for spays) and for neuter a pair of tighty whites or boxers with a hole cut out for the penis, so they don’t pee on themselfs or there is the Elizabethan collar (all pet love this… not) which stops your pet from reach its head around and licking. It is also good for clear coffee tables, running people over with and get over 150 channels.
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