Before and After Care
Pre-Surgical Instructions
- The night before your pet's surgical procedure, take away all food and treats by 8pm
- Water is okay the night before and the morning of surgery
- No breakfast the morning of your pet's surgical procedure
- Have your pet to Dakota Pet Hospital between 8-8:15am the morning of surgery
- Leave some time to go over and sign paperwork relating to surgery
Post-Surgical Home Care
When pets go home they often become excited and may want to eat or drink excessively. This can cause vomiting. Therefore, it is a good idea to limit the amount of food and water you give your pet for the first 2 hours after arriving home.
Check the surgical site daily for bleeding, swelling, or drainage. Please call the clinic if you see any of these, as they MAY be cause for concern. We may need to see your pet for a recheck exam if any of these occur. Your pet may have sutures or staples which will need to be removed in 10-14 days. There is no fee for this service, but we do ask that you call ahead and set up an appointment time with a technician so we can have your pet's file pulled and ready. We do send home an Elizabethan cone collar when we feel it necessary to prevent licking and chewing at the surgical site. Please keep the collar on at all times when your pet is NOT under your direct supervision. You may be held financially responsible if further treatment or medications are needed after your pet is released from our care. 
Restrict your pet's activity to on-leash walking ONLY for the first 14 days. No running, jumping or paying with other dogs in or out of the house until the surgical site is completely healed. Failure to keep pets "quiet" may result in injury or interruption of healing and may lead to problems with the incision site.
Your pet may be sent home with medication. Please give medication as directed and do NOT stop these medications until they are gone unless otherwise instructed.
Please call us with any questions
952-469-1525