Home Care:

Your dog or cat must be fed soft food only for the next few weeks to prevent damage to healing gums. If you feed dry food, it is best to soften it in lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes prior to feeding. A food processor, grinder or blender will also work well. The food should resemble oatmeal. Be sure to remove any hard pieces that might remain after softening. Do not change to a canned food during this time unless that is the normal diet. During recovery, always feed the food that your pet is used to eating. Do not change brands. The evening after the procedure, feed about 1/2 the normal amount that you would normally give, if no vomiting after an hour, offer the rest. Try to give medication in a small amount of food just prior to feeding the full amount. Like people, animals can feel better after eating. Pain is reduced and rest is easier. Cats and diabetic animals need to get back to a normal feeding schedule as soon as possible. If your cat refuses to eat after a day or so, please call for advice.

All sutures will dissolve in a week or two and do not need to be removed.

Please keep your dog or cat warm the first night after anesthesia. They can get cold even in the summer until the anesthetic has completely worn off. Please provide warm bedding and keep them away from AC registers or cold drafts.

Bleeding: Spotting may be noticed for the next day or two. If you have white carpeting or furniture, please me mindful of this. Active bleeding is not normal and immediate care is necessary. Please call with any questions of concerns.

 If a nerve block was given, numbness will last around 8-14 hours. During that time, it's possible that face rubbing or pawing may be seen. Animals don't understand that sensation.

Chew toys must be put away until everything has healed. Extreme care must be taken to avoid any activity that might cause injury to the jaw or face. Tug-of-war, playing catch or fetch, or simple chewing may cause serious damage to very fragile healing gums.

DO NOT TOUCH THE MOUTH FOR TWO WEEKS. LIFTING OR TOUCHING THE LIP MAY CAUSE THE FRAGILE HEALING TISSUES TO TEAR OPEN. ADMINISTER MEDICATION IN FOOD IF POSSIBLE.

Please schedule an appointment with the doctor in 10-14 days for a recheck exam to be sure the mouth is healing properly. We will discuss diet changes at that time if needed.

Please call us anytime with questions or concerns. You may also email us at tyleranimalclinic@sbcglobal.net at night or if we are closed. We'll do our best to get back to you ASAP. For critical emergencies, please call the emergency clinic in Mayfield (Wilson Mills/271) at (440)673-3483 or Great Lakes Veterinary Emergency (Richmond/271) at (216)831-6789.