Here's some post-op instructions for a spay. It does say to contact your vet, if defecation doesn't occur in 24 hours, but like others have said maybe she just hasn't eaten enough. If she has been eating fine than I would give her canned pumpkin (without the spices) and this should help her get things going.
Surgery Post-Op Instructions
Your pet has undergone a major surgical procedure, which included general anesthesia. Expect him/her to be more quiet than normal for the next 24 hours. Allow pet to recover from the surgery in a quiet, dark room with as little disturbance as possible. Avoid contact with other pets and children until the following morning. Pet was released at an appropriate level of recovery, but MUST be kept warm and dry and NOT allowed to recover outdoors.
ÞCHECK INCISION DAILY for excessive redness, swelling, separation of suture edges or presence of any discharge. For the first week after surgery, it is normal for the skin around the suture line to be red and feel firm as the skin tissue begins to absorb the suture material. If CAT WAS NEUTERED, check under the tail for bleeding, excessive swelling or protruding tissue.
ÞTRY TO PREVENT pet from licking or chewing at the incision. Most animals will clean around the area following surgery. If your pet appears to be chewing, pulling or licking excessively enough to damage the skin, please put an E-collar on your pet.
ÞAFTER 9:00 PM on the day of pet’s surgery, you may offer him/her a SMALL amount of plain water. DOGS weighing less than 20 lbs: limit intake to ¼ cup; DOGS weighing more than 20 lbs: limit to ½ cup. Limit CAT water intake to approx. 1 Tablespoon. Give NO FOOD until the morning after surgery and then feed normally. You may start giving the pain medication to your pet starting at 9:00 p.m. the day of surgery.
Þ “Dissolving” suture material was used so there is no need to return for removal. Sutures will normally dissolve within 4-6 weeks after surgery. MALE CATS have no sutures placed in the scrotum skin so the incision will heal with no effort.
ÞLIMIT PET’S EXERCISE for the first week following surgery. DOGS: limit exercise to on-leash walks for 5-10 minutes three to four times per day. CATS: limit exercise as much as possible. After the first week, gradually return pet to his/her previous activity level.
ÞDO NOT BATHE PET or use chemical flea care products (including sprays, dips, powders or collars) on pet for 10 days following surgery. Using Advantage or Frontline is OK. The HHS does not recommend flea collars for flea control at any time.
ÞPet may experience some constipation or decreased appetite for the first 24 hours following surgery and may vomit once or twice prior to resuming regular feeding schedule. If any of these conditions persist beyond the first 24 hours after
surgery, contact the HHS or your veterinarian for advice.
ÞIf PET WAS NEUTERED there may be some swelling of the scrotum for a 2-3 week period. The testicles were removed and swelling will resolve slowly on its own and will be barely noticeable after a few months. For CAT NEUTERS there is no need to change the type of litter used following the surgery.
ÞIf PET WAS SPAYED WHILE IN HEAT, she may continue to show signs of heat behavior for the rest of her “normal” cycle. She cannot become pregnant but can suffer severe internal damage. Pet must AVOID contact with male animals for a minimum of 3-4 weeks. |