The following instructions must be followed to ensure proper healing:

  • No running, jumping, playing, swimming, or other strenuous activity for 7-10 days after surgery. Pets must be kept indoors where they can stay clean, dry, and warm. No baths for 10 days after surgery. Dogs must be leash-walked and cats kept indoors.
  • Check the incision site twice daily. Clear to light yellow colored discharge, bruising, redness, and swelling from and around the incision can be expected but should be minimal. Do not allow your pet to lick or chew at the incision! If this occurs, an E-collar MUST be applied to prevent this behavior.
  • Your pet may have a slight cough for a few days after surgery. If this persists for more than 3 days, please make an appointment with your full-service veterinarian, as this symptom may be related to other issues.
  • Bleeding from the incision, fatigue, diarrhea, or vomiting for more than 24 hours OR pale gums, difficulty urinating, or labored breathing for more than 12 hours after hospital discharge are not normal and should be addressed immediately. This list is not all inclusive. If any of these occur, please call Mountain View during regular business hours or one of the emergency clinics listed below after hours and on weekends.
  • Do not change your pet’s diet after surgery. Do not give table scraps, milk, or any other people food during the recovery period as this could enhance post-surgical complications. Appetite should return gradually about 24 hours after surgery. If you did not bring your pet’s regular diet to eat after surgery, they may experience some brief diarrhea or vomiting after returning home as a result of the sudden change in diet from eating food provided by Mountain View. Please monitor any vomiting or diarrhea closely and call Mountain View with any concerns or schedule an appointment with your regular veterinarian.
  • If you picked up your animal the same day after surgery, please only feed them half (1/2) of their normal evening meal that night to avoid them overeating and possibly having vomiting or diarrhea after anesthesia.
  • If your pet received a dose of deworming medication after surgery, please be aware that some loose stool can occur as the medication passes through the intestinal tract killing any parasites that may be present. If this occurs, it should not last longer than 24 hours. Some parasites may be seen in the stool after deworming medication is given. An additional dose of deworming medication may be necessary.
  • Your pet received a tattoo at the time of surgery. It is green in color and is placed near the surgical incision. It will heal in the same time frame as the surgery site and should not need any additional care while healing.
  • If an initial feline or canine distemper vaccine was administered to your pet, a booster vaccine is necessary in 3-4 weeks in order for your pet to be considered protected against that disease. Please discuss a regular vaccine schedule with your full-service veterinarian.
  • If there are any post-operative concerns, Mountain View Humane does provide free rechecks at our clinic during regular business hours. Any additional services or medications that need to be administered will be at minimal cost provided the post-op complication was the result of surgery and the post-op instructions were followed in full. However, Mountain View Humane IS NOT a full-service veterinary clinic, and your regular veterinarian must address illnesses or injuries that were not a direct result of surgery. Mountain View will not be held responsible for complications resulting from failure to follow post-op instructions, contagious diseases for which the animal was not properly vaccinated, and non-surgical related illnesses.
  • For immediate issues after hours or in case of emergency, please contact your nearest emergency clinic listed below.

Emergency and after-hours clinics:

Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine    
205 Duck Pond Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24060
(540) 231-7666

Emergency Veterinary Services of Roanoke
5363 Peters Creek Road
Roanoke, VA 24019
(540) 563-8575

Town and Country Veterinary Services    
200 Central Avenue NE
Christiansburg, VA 24073
(540) 382-5042

Mountain View Humane has worked with the following clinics to provide follow-up incision checks if needed, DURING OFF HOURS FOR EMERGENCIES.

Appalachian Veterinary Services
1511 Flanagan Dr.
Christiansburg, VA 24073
(540) 382–1100

Community Animal Hospital
5726 Alexander Rd
Dublin, VA 24084
(540) 674-1010

Companion Animal Clinic
207 South Hill St.
Blacksburg, VA 24060
(540) 552-6800

Riverside Veterinary Clinic
210 E. Main St.
Radford, VA 24141
(540) 633-3900

Tipton Ridge Veterinary
Medical Center
1858 Bob White Blvd
Pulaski, VA 24301
(540) 980-0186

Tri-County Veterinary Service
409 Waters St
Peterstown, WV 24963
(304) 753-5365

West End Animal Clinic
829 2nd Street
Radford, VA 24141
(540) 731-1111