Yes, this is very normal. Most pets do not have a bowel movement for 3 to 5 days after surgery. This happens because they had an empty stomach for surgery and the anesthesia medicine makes their insides move a bit slower for a few days. As long as your pet is eating and doesn't seem to be straining or hurting, you do not need to worry.

No, it is very common for pets to drink very little for the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery. During surgery, your pet was given IV fluids (water through a tube). This keeps them very hydrated, so they simply aren't thirsty yet. Also, if you are adding water to their food or feeding wet food, they are getting their water from their meals. Just keep fresh water nearby. Don't try to force them to drink.

We schedule your pet’s postoperative recheck for the time we expect the incision to be fully healed. This timeline may be adjusted based on how your pet is doing in the days following surgery. For dogs, incisions are generally healed within 10–14 days For cats, we recommend a longer period of 14–21 days due to differences in skin blood supply At the recheck appointment, we will examine the incision and remove any non-absorbable sutures or staples, if healing is satisfactory. Once this recheck is completed, and the incision is confirmed to be healed, your pet no longer needs to wear their Elizabethan collar (E-collar, “cone of shame,” etc.). We do recommend monitoring your pet closely for a few days after the recheck, in case they start licking or scratching at the incision. If that occurs, the E-collar should be used for a few additional days.

No water should touch the incision site until the sutures or staples have been removed and the skin is fully healed (usually 10 to 14 days for dogs, 3 weeks for cats). Do not give your dog a bath or let them go swimming until the stitches are out and the skin is fully closed, as moisture can introduce bacteria into the incision. If your pet gets dirty, you may use a damp cloth or "waterless shampoo" on other parts of their body, being careful to stay far away from the incision. Grooming: We recommend waiting at least 4 weeks for professional grooming to ensure the surgical site is strong enough to handle the handling and drying equipment.

The answer depends on the type of medication: Pain medication is prescribed based on your pet’s specific surgery and individual needs. While the full course is intended to be completed, if your pet appears comfortable at home, we can discuss the option of tapering or discontinuing these medications early. Antibiotics and other systemic medications should be given for the entire prescribed course, even if your pet seems to be improving. Stopping early can contribute to relapse or resistance. Trazodone (or other calming/sedation medications) MUST be continued until your pet is fully healed. This typically means until stitch removal for soft tissue procedures, or for orthopedic patients, until bone healing is confirmed with follow-up X-rays.