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How to Care for Your Pet After Spay/Neuter

no bathing
No Bathing
no running
No Running
no jumping
No Jumping
no surfing
No Surfing

After Surgery Instructions:

  • Keep your pet inside and restrict activity for 7–10 days.

    Dogs should be on a leash to go potty. It is NEVER a good idea to put your pet in the backyard unattended after a surgery.

  • Check the incision site at least once a day to check for signs of infection.

    Check for redness, swelling, and discharge. There may be a SMALL amount of bruising, redness, or swelling as your pet heals. Call us at 541-200-2525 if you are concerned.

  • Prevent licking and chewing.

    It is important to keep your pet from chewing or constantly licking at the incision. For dogs, we recommend an Elizabethan collar (aka e-collar or cone) to prevent them from irritating their incision site. See the e-collar info graphic below regarding e-collar care.

  • No bathing or swimming for two weeks.

    The incision is held together with sutures that will dissolve over the next four months, but the skin is closed with surgical glue and should not get overly wet.

  • You will be provided with post-op instructions at checkout.

A helpful video courtesy of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA):

E-collar tips:

how to help your dog or cat heal from surgery by preventing harmful licking and learn how to use your pet's restrictive device, cone, donut or onesie

Emergency Veterinary Clinics:

Rogue Valley Veterinary Emergency
235 E Barnett Rd # 106, Medford, OR 97501
(541) 393-9960

Southern Oregon Veterinary Specialty Center
4901 Biddle Rd, Central Point, OR 97502
(541) 282-7711