Clinic Registry for Low Cost Vaccines and/or Spay/Neuter - Dogs Only Updated

• I, being responsible for the animal(s) described above, have the authority to grant the veterinarian and/or GFR volunteers my consent to receive, treat, anesthetize, and/or perform surgery upon the animal(s) named above.
• I understand there are risks inherent to anesthesia and surgery. I understand that the patients do not undergo a pre-anesthetic evaluation and I accept the risks of any underlying health problem that would complicate survival/recovery from anesthesia and surgery.
• I agree to hold harmless and indemnify Grafelman Farms Rescue, their officers, their volunteers and their employees from any loss, injury or damages arising out of or in any way connected to the services requested herein.

Following spay/neuter surgery, the animal will require time and a little extra attention to ensure their body properly heals. The following aftercare instructions provide guidelines for the next several days of your pet's recovery, as well as what to expect and potential red flags.

FIRST 24 HOURS AFTER SURGERY:

• Keep Indoors & Quiet: Let your animal rest in a safe, calm space.
• Expect Behavior Changes: Your animal may be sleepy, glassy-eyed, wobbly, nauseous, vocal, shivery, or irritable.
• Food & Water:  Offer small amounts of the food they eat regularly and water later in the evening. Your pet may feel nauseous, and it can take up to 48 hours for their appetite to return to normal.
• Limit activity:  Animals need restricted activity and sleep after surgery to allow their bodies to heal.  Walking around in a confined space will help the animal recover from the anesthesia.  
• No running, jumping or climbing:  Excessive activity can result in serious surgical complications like opening of the incision and hemorrhage (bleeding).
• Watch the Incision:  Small amounts of redness and oozing of blood-stained discharge can be expected for the first 24 hours.   

NEXT 5-7 DAYS FOLLOWING THE SURGERY:

• Animals should be closely supervised and on an exercise restriction for the next 5-7 days. 
• Avoid running, jumping, and excessive playing. Strenuous activity increases your pet’s risk of developing swelling around the incision site that could result in premature dissolving of sutures, opening of the incision, and a potential visit to the vet.
• Keep the incision dry.  No licking or bathing.  An Elizabethan-Collar (E-Collar) or Recovery Suit/Onsie may be needed in the event of persistent licking.
• Check the incision site daily until healed.  Signs of infection include  redness, foul odor, oozing, swelling or opening of the incision.  
• Observe for complications such as continued loss of appetite, weakness, no urine output, difficulty urinating, breathing difficulties, bowel issues such as constipation or diarrhea. 

Concerns or conditions not related to the agreed upon surgery need to be addressed by your animal's veterinarian.