Fracture Repair – Post Operative Instructions

Following a successful surgery, owner compliance is the most important factor in recovery. Please be careful and patient with your pet during this time. Following these instructions closely will ensure a speedy recovery.

1. Pain Management: This surgery is a painful procedure and pain management is a necessity. Continued pain control is a MUST during your pets’ recovery, the appropriate medications will be sent home after surgery. Be sure to administer these medications as directed and until ALL doses are finished. This will keep your pet comfortable and promote a speedy recovery. If you feel at any time the pain is not adequately controlled please contact the clinic. Some side effects of these medications may include: nausea/upset stomach, constipation or diarrhea. It is best to give these medications with food.
2. Antibiotics: Your pet will be sent home with a course of antibiotics to prevent post-operative infection. Follow the prescribed schedule on the label. Finish all doses of medications.
3. Stomach upset: Monitor for any signs of vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite or any blood in the stool. If your pet experiences any of these symptoms, please notify the clinic immediately as these symptoms can be a sign of a sensitivity to medications.
4. Confinement and Activity Restriction: STRICT CRATE CONFINEMENT IS CRITICAL during this recovery. Your cat will need to be confined to a large dog kennel containing a litter box and food/water bowls following surgery until advised otherwise by the veterinary staff. Keep housemates separated from the pet that has undergone surgery. Be very mindful of slick surfaces such as wood or tile floors as they can cause your pet to fall/slip resulting in injury of the surgical site. DO NOT allow your pet to use stairs, be outdoors, run, jump, play, roughhouse, or be loose in the house. These activities compromise the surgical site and can result in complications including delayed healing, extended recovery time and injury to surgical site.
5. Feeding: Your pet may have an upset stomach the night of surgery as a side effect of the sedation. Offer ¼ to ½ of the normal amount they are fed. If they do not want to eat do not force it. If they eat and vomit, pull the food until tomorrow morning. If they eat and are able to hold down the food for an hour you may offer more in small increments throughout the evening. Unless advised by the veterinary staff to feed a specific diet, use their normal food to reduce the likelihood of an upset stomach.
6. E-collar: Licking at the incision site is NEVER OKAY! It is imperative to keep your pets’ e-collar on at ALL times, even when they are in the kennel. Licking, chewing, scratching or rubbing the incision prevents/slows the healing process and results in opening and infection of the incision site. DO NOT allow housemates to lick or paw at the surgical site either. DO NOT cut the E-collar. The size sent home is appropriate for your pet. The edge of the e-collar should extend 1.5 to 2 inches past your pet’s nose in order to prevent licking or digging at the incision site. If you cut the e-collar shorter you put your pet at risk for infection, opening of the incision site and additional recovery costs as well as prolonged recovery time. The veterinary staff will let you know when it is okay to take the e-collar off.
7. Incision Site Care: You should not need to clean the incision site; it heals best if left alone. Some bleeding and seeping in the first few days is to be expected, gentle pressure may be applied to the incision site with a clean towel or gauze. If you must clean the incision site use a small amount of warm water, dab DO NOT wipe. DO NOT apply any topical ointments, sprays, salves or bandages as this traps bacteria at the surgical site and can result in infection.
8. Ice Compress: Apply ice compresses to incision site for 10-20 minutes, 3-4 times a day for the first 3 days after surgery. Cold compresses will aid with swelling and pain. Use the orthopedic gel pack provided by VSS. If this action causes your pet stress or to struggle, don’t do it.
9. Warm Compress: Warm compresses may be applied to the incision site days 4-6 after the surgery for 10-20 minutes 3-4 times a day. Warm compresses at this time will improve circulation and promote healing. Use the orthopedic gel pack provided by VSS. Test the compress against your skin before applying it to your pets’ incision to prevent burns. If the compress is too hot for you to hold on your skin for allow it to cool a bit before applying it to your pets’ incision. If this action causes your pet stress or to struggle, don’t do it.
10. Bruising/Swelling: Bruising around the incision site is normal and tends to increase for up to 2 days after surgery then slowly resolve. Swelling may develop 2 days post-op. If either of these occur past 2 days or appear to be rapidly extending over the surgical site please contact the clinic.
11. Medical progress appointments: Your pets’ first re-check will be 7-14 days following surgery. Through physical examination and X-rays Dr. Lewis will be able to evaluate and make activity recommendations according to the specific needs of your pet.
12. After hours emergency line: During your pet’s discharge you were provided with our after-hours phone number should any questions/complications arise during recovery that need to be addressed immediately. If you call, you will be asked to leave a detailed message and a member of our medical team will return your call. This line also accepts text messages. You can also reach the clinic after hours by phone or email. The after hours line is not checked during regular business hours.

When should I call after hours?

• Appetite has not returned within 24-36 hours after surgery.
• Report ALL vomiting or diarrhea. This could be a sign of medication interaction, sensitivity.
• If your pet gets the e-collar off and has licked and/or caused damage to the incision site.
• Incision site is open and/or showing signs of infection: redness, discharge or swelling.

If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency and you are not able to reach us after hours please take your pet to the nearest emergency clinic.