Post Operation Dental Care 

Post- Surgery Instructions for Foster Caregivers

The following information will help ensure that your pet, or foster animal, recovers smoothly post- operatively. If teeth were extracted, he/ she may have sutures in their mouth which will dissolve and do not need to be removed. If the pet did have extractions, you may notice some discolored or blood- tinged saliva. It should be minimal and if it is excessive, please reach out to us.

1. Restriction in activity

Please restrict activity this evening. Keep your pet away from stairs and prevent jumping on or off of furniture for the first 8- 12 hours. Short, leashed walks are okay for dogs. Tomorrow they may resume a normal routine.

2. Medications

If your pet, or foster, is being sent home with medication (pain meds, antibiotics, etc.), please give them as directed. If any upset stomach or other side effects occur, please contact us.

3. Precautions That Should Be Observed After General Anesthesia

Your pet, or foster, may be groggy for about 12 hours after anesthesia. Therefore, it is important to assist them when getting into or out of automobiles, and when walking or climbing up and down steps. 

• At home, confine your pet this evening to a safe area in the home to prevent accidents.

• Pacing, disorientation, and vocalizations may occur on recovery. These signs can persist for 6- 8 hours or more. Call or email our foster team if abnormal behavior persists.

• Food and water may be offered (unless otherwise instructed by the clinician), but should be given in small amounts this evening. Tomorrow they may resume a normal feeding schedule.

• If your pet, or foster, had extractions, feed only soft food for the next 14 days. No hard toys, treats or chews for at least 14 days, especially if teeth were extracted.

• As the anesthetic wears off, your pet, or foster, may experience slight discomfort. If he/ she is in severe pain, contact our foster team via phone or email. 

• It is best to restrict children from pets for 18- 24 hours, as your pet, or foster, may experience residual anesthesia and possible post- operative pain.

• Do not give your pet, or foster, any human, or other animals medications (ie. Tylenol,ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.).

• A sore throat or cough may be caused by the endotracheal tube (a tube placed down the windpipe for general anesthesia). This usually lasts no longer than 24 hours. If it occurs and persists for longer, please contact us.

• If a bandage is present on a leg, it is from where an IV catheter was placed and it may be removed 1-2 hours after coming home.

Follow- Up Care

Please schedule a follow- up appointment in 10- 14 days, if we did not already do so. You can schedule this by booking a time here.