Today

 

• After your pet has surgery, the surgeon or technician will call you to discuss the procedure.

• Your pet will be on Intravenous Fluids through the surgery and recovery, as well as IV pain medications for at least two hours after surgery.

• A technician will be caring for and monitoring your pet’s vital signs regularly.

• Please feel free to call us for an update any time at 727-577-7297

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After Leaving The Clinic

 

• The bandage on your pet’s leg from the IV may be removed after an hour.

• Medications to be given will be discussed at discharge.

• Elizabethan collars must remain on your pet for the first two weeks after surgery.

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ORTHOPEDIC PROCEDURES

 

• Pet should be confined to a small room or crate.

• Elizabethan collar to remain in place until staples are removed.

• No off leash/explosive activity for 8 weeks to allow for bony healing.

• Pets can go up and down stairs at a controlled walk after two weeks. 

• No jumping off or on furniture

• Return in two weeks for staple removal appointment.

• Follow up with the surgeon in eight weeks for radiographs appointment.

 

 

 

SOFT TISSUE PROCEDURES

 

• Most test results sent to outside labs take approximately one week to get back,

     we will contact you with those results.

 

 

 

INCISION CARE

 

• Skin incisions take approximately 10-14 days to heal.

• No baths or swimming until the incision is healed.

• No ointments or creams are necessary for healing.

• Pets should wear an e-collar until the incision is healed, an Elizabethan collar will be sent home on your pet. Pet stores may have different types of e-collars, but please check with a technician to ensure proper fit.

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HOW TO TELL IF YOUR DOG IS IN PAIN

 

• Dogs feel pain and discomfort for many of the same reasons as humans.

• Following their surgical procedure, they may experience some pain and discomfort requiring treatment.

• In most cases, your dog will exhibit subtle changes in behavior indicating pain. It is important to stay alert to these signs, because the sooner their pain is diagnosed and treated, the sooner healing can resume.

• The following are behaviors that may be associated with pain and discomfort.

 

VOCALIZING:

• Whines

• Howls

• Whimpers

• Yelps

• Groans

• Grunts

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DAILY HABITS:

• Decreases in appetite.

• Withdraws from social interaction.

• Lapses in house training

• Sleeps more frequently or longer periods

• Pants excessively when at rest

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GROOMING:

• Licks

• Bites

• Scratches a particular body part

• Coat lacks normal shine

 

ACTIVITY LEVEL:

• Restless

• Reluctance to move

• Difficulty rising from a laying position

• Trembles

• Seeks more affection than normal

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SELF-PROTECTION:

• Protects a body part

• Non-weight bearing on a limb

• Limps

• Hides

• Resists being held

 

AGGRESSION:

Especially a previously friendly dog

• Acts out of character

• Growls

• Bites

• Pins ears back

• A normally aggressive dog may act quiet, docile

 

 

WHEN YOUR VETERINARIAN PRESCRIBES MEDICATION:

 

DO

 

• Follow the instructions provided

• Watch for potential side effects, including:

 

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Dark tarry stools

• Anorexia

 

• Stop medicating if your dog shows any of these symptoms and call PAWS

• Keep the medications safely out of reach of your pets and children

 

DON’T

 

• Change the dosage or frequency unless directed by your veterinarian

• Give any additional medication to your dog while it is taking the prescribed medication (without first talking with your veterinarian)

• Hesitate to call PAWS if you ever have any questions or concerns

 

 

BANDAGE/SPLINT HOME CARE

 

Bandages and Splints are applied for a variety of reasons and indications. Proper

home care is critical to a successful outcome with their use. Listed below are a few

simple recommendations for taking care of your pet when they have a bandage or

splint—please read these recommendations.

 

1.) Keep bandage/splint DRY at all times.

2.) Use a plastic bag or similar device to protect the bandage/splint when your pet

goes outside.

3.) Leave the bandage/splint covered ONLY while your pet is outside. Remove the

bag when your pet comes back inside.

4.) DO NOT leave your pet outside for prolonged periods of time with a covered

bandage/splint.

5.) IF the bandage/splint gets LIGHTLY wet – dry it with a hair blow dryer.

6.) IF the bandage/splint gets MORE than lightly wet, bring your pet in ASAP to have

the bandage/splint changed.

7.) Please call to schedule an appointment to have the bandage/splint

evaluated/changed IF:

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A. Your pet starts to chew at the bandage/splint.

B. You notice a foul odor, or any change in odor coming from the

bandage/splint.

C. Your pet stops using the foot with the bandage/splint on it.

D. You notice any swelling of the limb or toes.

 

8.) Check with your Doctor about when you should schedule a routine appointment

for a bandage/splint change.

9.) IF you have any questions at any time concerning your pet or the bandage/splint

– please call.

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Please Visit this link for information on

SLING WALKING YOUR PET

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Please Visit this link for information on

PASSIVE RANGE OF MOTION

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HOW TO KNOW IF YOUR CAT IS IN PAIN

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Signs that a cat is in pain vary depending both upon the personality of the cat and the

type of pain they are experiencing.

Most cats will show obvious signs of acute pain if they have an accident or injury, but it

can be much more challenging to tell if your cat is experiencing chronic pain such as

pain caused by arthritis or gum disease.

Because cats instinctively hide signs of pain it is essential for pet parents to always

keep a watchful eye for uncharacteristic behavior, personality changes, an unusual

stride, or changes in appetite. These can all be cause for concern, and you would need

to contact your veterinarian.

 

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If your cat is experiencing pain, you may notice one or more of the following symptoms:

• Frequent or ongoing meowing or howling

• Litter box accidents, urinating outside of their litterbox.

• Tail flicking

• Won't eat or reduced appetite.

• Limping

• Avoiding being handled, picked up or petted.

• Poor grooming, scruffy looking

• Reduced energy, lethargy, or lack of interest in play or going outside.

• Excessive grooming

• Panting

• Patchy fur

• Hiding, no interest in spending time with you or other family members

• Behavioral changes such as refusing to jump onto a bed or furniture that they

typically love to be on

• Irritable mood, short-tempered with people or other pets including.

  • Uncharacteristic hissing, growling or spitting.

  • Unusual vocalizations (meowing more than usual, crying)

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Posture & Body Language Changes That Could Mean Your Cat is in Pain

Cats in pain will often display changes in body language. In some cases, the body

language changes of a cat in pain will be very noticeable but often these changes are

more subtle. Our vets recommend always monitoring your cat's overall demeanor,

stance, and gait so that any changes from their normal will be easily spotted.

 

Body language changes related to pain in cats include:

• Tense-looking body

• Crouched or being hunched over.

• Head lowered.

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How Pain Could Be Expressed in Your Cat's Face

 

While many cats show little or no change in their facial expression while experiencing

pain, some cats are very expressive. If your cat is in pain, it might:

 

• Squint or close their eyes tightly.

• Flatten their ears so that they are pressed to the sides or back of their head.

• Project an overall facial appearance of tension with a tight mouth.

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When To Seek Veterinary Care for a Cat In Pain

 

Often signs of pain in cats are missed until the cat's condition is advanced. When it

comes to your cat's long-term health it's always best to err on this side of caution.

If your feline friend is displaying signs of pain, contact your vet right away to schedule

an examination or visit your local after-hours animal hospital. To help preserve your

cat's good quality of life pain management, and treatment of painful conditions early are

essential.

If your cat is displaying any symptoms or behavioral changes that give you cause for

concern, contact PAWS right away. Our vets can diagnose your cat's condition and

provide you with effective treatment options quickly.

 

LAPAROSCOPIC OVARIECTOMY DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS

 

Laparoscopic Spays are less invasive than traditional spays and have a much better

recovery time. To aid in this recovery, please follow the instructions outlined below:

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• Please use the provided T-shirt or an E-collar for the first two weeks after surgery.

• The bandage for the IV may be removed one hour after going home.

• No swimming or bathing for the first two weeks.

• Use a cold compress to the incision sites for the first 5 days. Use cold compresses twice a day for 10-15 minutes at a time.

• Move to warm compresses to the incision sites for the next 5 days. Use warm compresses twice daily for 10-15 minutes.

• Give all medications prescribed as ordered.

• Offer a bland diet and small frequent amounts of water the first evening after surgery.

• If you have any questions or concerns, please call PAWS at 724-577-7297.

• Skin incisions generally take 10-14 days to heal.

• No running or jumping for 2 weeks to allow proper surgical healing.

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LAPAROSCOPIC GASTROPEXY DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS

 

 

Laparoscopic Gastropexies are less invasive than traditional gastropexy and have a

much better recovery time. To aid in this recovery, please follow the instructions outlined

below:

​

• The bandage for the IV may be removed one hour after going home.

• No swimming or bathing for the first two weeks.

• Use a cold compress to the incision sites for the first 5 days. Use cold compresses twice a day for 10-15 minutes at a time.

• Move to warm compresses to the incision sites for the next 5 days. Use warm compresses twice daily for 10-15 minutes.

• Give all medications prescribed as ordered.

• Offer a bland diet and small frequent amounts of water the first evening after surgery.

• If you have any questions or concerns, please call PAWS at 724-577-7297.

• Skin incisions generally take 10-14 days to heal.

• No running or jumping for 2 weeks to allow proper surgical healing.

• Please use the provided T-shirt or an E-collar for the first two weeks after surgery.

​​

 

WELLNESS EXAMS

 

Annual wellness exams for your pets are a vital part of maintaining your pet’s health.

These exams consist of our doctors doing a thorough physical and dental exam of your

pet, updating any needed vaccines, doing any bloodwork that may be needed, refilling

Heartworm, Flea/Tick, and any routine medications your pet may be on. It is also a time

to discuss any problems or issues your pet may be having, or to discuss any surgical

procedures that may be needed. For new puppies/kittens, it is a good time to discuss

nutrition, socialization, and training. For our older pets, it is a good time to discuss

aging, movements, and changes in habits. Our doctors and staff look forward to taking

care of your pets.

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DENTALS

 

At Pennsylvania Animal Wellness and Surgery, we provide both dental prophylaxis and

dental extractions when needed. Our doctors will do a consultation to see what is

needed on a case-by-case basis. We offer dental CT prior to doing a dental to see if

there are any further problems not seen on examination. This also shows us the health

of the nasal cavity, ears, and bony structures. Dental prophylaxis is the cleaning of the

teeth to improve dental health and bad breath. Extractions are the removal of teeth and

roots that are hindering the dental health of your pet. During an annual wellness

examination or consultation, our doctors will evaluate your pet’s dental health and

suggest if a dental procedure is warranted.

 

MICROCHIP

 

Pennsylvania Animal Wellness and Surgery offers the placement of microchips to

ensure your pet’s safety. A microchip ID is a small transmitter about the size of a grain

of rice. When a scanner passes over it, a signal is emitted indicating the unique

identification number of the chip. This tiny but sturdy little implant can reunite you with a

lost pet, serve as proof of ownership in a dispute, or even mean the difference between

euthanasia and medical care in an emergency.

 

VACCINATIONS

 

Pennsylvania Animal Wellness and Surgery administers vaccinations to pets over 8

weeks of age. Some vaccinations require a blood test before we can administer the

vaccine. Puppies and kittens will receive vaccines and boosters on a schedule until they

are 16-20 weeks old, then yearly vaccines are strongly recommended to continue to

provide immunity for specific diseases. Rabies vaccines are state mandated and will be

administered to any pet that is well enough to receive it.

 

SICK/EMERGENT CARE

 

Pennsylvania Animal Wellness and Surgery sees a wide range of sick pets daily. As pet

owners, you are the best advocate to know if your pet is having issues. At PAWS, we

have the availability to care for simple to complex issues with your pets and offer an in-

house laboratory, digital radiography, computed tomography, and ultrasonography to

better understand your pets needs when they aren’t feeling their best.