Here at Cimarron Animal Clinic, we are excited to be able to provide Stillwater and our surrounding communities with great state-of-the-art veterinary surgical care!
We keep on top of the latest veterinary surgical procedures. Our well trained surgeons are highly skilled in the latest technologies. However, veterinary medicine is not only about us!
Surgery can be very stressful on both you and your pet so it is our job to remind you that your pet is being taken care of. He or she is in good hands! Communication is key when your pet is having surgery. There is a lot that you need to know before, during, and after surgery. It is up to us to keep you informed. We will talk you through the whole process!
One of our biggest goals at Cimarron Animal Clinic is to make you and your pet's surgical experience a good one! We want the whole process to be as stress free as possible. It is our job to make the surgical process go smoothly, not yours! If there is anything that we can do to help you eliminate the stress and worry about the surgical process, please don't hesitate to contact us today. One of our knowledgeable staff would love to help you!
The First 24 to 48 Hours: What to Expect at Home
When you bring your pet home on discharge day, residual effects of general anesthesia and intravenous analgesics will linger: - Grogginess & Lethargy: Your pet may be unsteady on their feet, quiet, or sleep more deeply than usual for the first 24 to 36 hours. Create a quiet, warm, draft-free, confined resting area with soft blankets away from stairs, children, and other household animals. - Reintroducing Food & Water: Offer approximately one-third to one-half of their normal meal a few hours after arriving home. If they eat without regurgitation, you may offer the remainder later in the evening. Mild nausea can occur; do not force them to eat on the first evening. - Hydration: Fresh, clean water should always be accessible in shallow bowls to prevent accidental submersion if your pet is drowsy.
Incision Care, Monitoring & The Critical E-Collar
The surgical incision must be inspected twice daily in bright lighting for the full 10-14 days until suture removal: - Normal Healing Signs: Slight swelling, mild bruising, and clean wound edges closely opposed to each other. - Abnormal Warning Signs: Active bleeding, copious yellowish or green discharge, foul odor, gaped edges, or severe heat and redness. - The Elizabethan Collar (E-Collar): Animals heal with their tongues, and a pet can lick out internal sutures in less than 30 seconds, causing devastating wound dehiscence and bacterial infection. The cone or protective medical recovery suit must remain on 24 hours a day until your veterinarian approves its removal.
Strict Activity Restriction: Why Rest Means Rapid Recovery
Internal tissues heal gradually. Even if your pet feels energetic thanks to effective pain medications, running, jumping on furniture, playing fetch, or roughhousing will stretch sutures, create painful seromas (fluid pockets), and cause wound breakdown. - Dogs must be taken outside exclusively on a short leash for brief 5-minute bathroom breaks. - Cats should be kept in a single quiet room with a low-entry litter box (use shredded paper or pellet litter rather than clay to prevent litter dust from sticking to incisions). - No bathing, swimming, or outdoor rain exposure until skin sutures or surgical staples are removed at your complimentary follow-up check.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my pet is in pain?
Signs of pain in pets can be subtle: whining, reluctance to sit or lay down, rapid shallow breathing, dilated pupils, trembling, tucking their tail, guarding the abdomen, or displaying unusual aggression. Always administer prescribed pain medications strictly as directed; never give human medications like Tylenol, Advil, or Aspirin, which are toxic to pets.
What should I do if my pet won't take their pills?
Try concealing the tablets inside a small bite of canned food, a commercial Pill Pocket, a dab of cream cheese, or plain peanut butter (verify it contains NO xylitol). If your pet continues to refuse, contact us at (405) 372-3200 for alternative flavored liquid formulations.
When are the stitches removed?
Skin sutures or surgical staples are typically removed 10 to 14 days after surgery. This quick follow-up appointment is complimentary and allows your veterinarian to confirm complete tissue closure.