Spay/Neuter Post-Op Instructions
For animals adopted from Humane Rescue Alliance
Updated 10/19/2016
There are two complications that you are trying to prevent during your pet’s recovery from surgery:
1. tearing of the sutures
2. infection at the surgical site.
The external incision and a separate tattoo, which is a green line, are closed with surgical skin glue, which will
dissolve over time. If you notice clear or whitish crusting on the surgical or tattoo site, this is the surgical skin glue.
The internal sutures will dissolve on their own over several months; during this time you may be able to feel a series
of small lumps or knots under the skin at the surgery site. This is normal.
Please follow these instructions to ensure your pet has a smooth and rapid recovery:
1. Activity - Limit your animal’s activity during the post-op recovery period. No running, jumping, playing, or other
strenuous activity for 7-10 days post-op. Dogs should be taken out to relieve themselves on short leash walks
only. If your pet is too active, confine him or her to a smaller area, such as a bathroom. Give them plenty of safe
toys to keep them mentally stimulated. The activity of kittens may be difficult to control. Fortunately, their
recovery can be quite quick and normal activity levels are to be expected.
2. Incision Site Care
• Keep the incision dry. No swimming or baths for 10 days post-surgery.
• E-collar usage:
 All dogs must wear an e-collar for 7-10 days after the surgery to prevent licking / chewing at the incision,
which is the number one cause of post-operative complications.
 Use of an e-collar is strongly advised for female cats. Male cats rarely need to wear an e-collar post-op, as
their incisions are so small that they tend not to bother the incisions. However if they do start excessively
licking or chewing at the incision, we would recommend purchasing one. Most veterinary clinics or pet
supply stores carry e-collars of various sizes.
• Check the incision site at least twice a day until healed (approximately 10 days post-surgery).
 Signs of possible infection: redness, swelling, draining (anything oozing from the incision), and opening of
the surgery site or tattoo.
If you see any of these, it is usually a result of your animal being too active or licking/chewing the incision
site, all of which may result in infection.
 What to do if you see these symptoms: You may prevent infection by cleaning (dabbing) the infected area
with a Chlorohex solution (can be purchased over-the-counter at your local pharmacy) on a cotton ball or
swab. Please do NOT use hydrogen peroxide, as this will cause further damage to the surgical site and
increase healing time. If swelling occurs, ice the area (prevent skin burns by ensuring a towel or other
cloth is placed between the ice and your animal’s skin) for 10-15 minutes, 2 – 3 times a day.
For excessive redness, swelling, drainage, or opening of the surgical site, please contact HRA to
schedule a recheck appointment (see instructions below).
3. Feeding - Your pet may be quiet and/or have a suppressed appetite for 24-48 hours after the surgery.
Animals react differently to surgery and anesthesia; some recover more slowly than others. However, if your
pet’s appetite does not return after 24-48 hrs, please contact HRA to schedule a re-check appointment (see
instructions below), as this could be a sign of a complication.
4. Pain Medication
• Dogs: Give your dog the first dose of Tramadol (pain medication) provided the evening you bring him or her
home from surgery. Tramadol is then to be given approximately every 12 hours (morning and night) until
finished. The amount of the dose depends on your dog’s weight - dosing directions for your dog is found on
the label of the pill vial you have been given. You may notice some lethargy associated with this medication
or, in rarer cases, abnormal excitement.
•
Cats: Your cat has been given an injection of Buprenorphine SR, an extended release pain medication. The
Buprenorphine SR lasts approximately 72 hours. You may notice some lethargy associated with this
medication or, in rarer cases, abnormal excitement. Please let us know if your cat is displaying any of the
following symptoms: fever, extreme lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, swelling, pain or sensitivity in between the
shoulder-blades (injection site).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Re-check appointments:
In most cases, post-op complications are not an emergency and can wait until the next business day to be checked.
Depending on the day of the week on which you observe symptoms, please consult the below details to determine
who you should contact to schedule an appointment.
Note: HRA will not treat non-surgical related health issues. Surgery and the associated stress can strain the immune
system and cause manifestation of pre-existing problems and/or development of infectious diseases. In these cases,
please visit your personal veterinarian. HRA is not liable for costs incurred at an outside veterinary practice.
Mon-Thurs:
Contact: Sara Spendelow, Office Manager, [email protected], (202) 608 – 1356 x 103.
Location: National Capital Area Spay & Neuter Center, located at 1001 L Street SE, Washington, DC 20003.
Fri-Sun:
Contact: New York Ave Adoption Center (for all adopted animals), (202) 727 – 7369 or (202) 727 – 5494
Location: New York Avenue Adoption Center, 1201 New York Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
If you feel your pet needs urgent medical attention outside of normal business hours, you must take him or her to a
veterinarian or (especially in cases of bleeding, fever, or extreme lethargy), to an animal emergency clinic. HRA is not
liable for costs incurred at an outside veterinary practice.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your pet’s surgery, please call and leave a message with Sara
Spendelow, Office Manager, at (202)-608-1356 x103 (Monday thru Thursday only).