Free Resource
Surgery Day & Recovery Guide
Everything you need to know before, during, and after your pet's spay or neuter surgery at Pets Alive
Based on 230,000+ safe surgeries
What's Inside
- Before Surgery Checklist — fasting rules, what to bring, night-before prep
- Surgery Day Timeline — drop-off, what happens during surgery, same-day pickup
- First 24 Hours Guide — rest, food, water, and pain management
- Days 2–14 Recovery — incision care, activity restrictions, cone tips
- When to Call the Vet — warning signs to watch for
- Cat vs. Dog Specific Tips — species-specific recovery differences
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Before Surgery Day
Fasting Instructions
- Remove food from your pet's reach by midnight the night before surgery
- Water is fine — leave the bowl out until morning
- If your pet ate something accidentally in the morning, call us before bringing them in
What to Bring
- Your pet in a secure carrier (cats) or on a leash (dogs)
- Any current medication your pet takes — list dosages
- A phone number where we can reach you during the day
- Payment — we accept cash, card, and check
What NOT to Bring
- Food or treats — your pet must stay fasted
- Toys or bedding — we provide clean bedding for recovery
- Other pets unless they also have an appointment
Night Before Checklist
- Confirm your appointment time (drop-off is 8:00–9:00 AM)
- Remove all food by midnight
- Make sure your carrier is clean and latches properly
- Prepare a quiet recovery space at home in advance
- Arrange your schedule — plan to stay home the first evening
Surgery Day
Morning Drop-Off
Drop-off is between 8:00 and 9:00 AM. Arrive within that window — we run a structured schedule and late arrivals may need to be rescheduled. A staff member will check your pet in, confirm fasting, and answer any last-minute questions.
- Arrive between 8:00 and 9:00 AM with your pet secured in a carrier or on a leash
- Confirm your callback number with our front desk
- Let us know of any medications or health concerns
During Surgery
Your pet will be given a pre-anesthetic exam, then placed under general anesthesia. Our licensed veterinarians perform the procedure in a clean, modern surgical suite. Most surgeries take 15–45 minutes, though your pet may spend several hours recovering from anesthesia before they're ready for pickup.
Same-Day Pickup
We'll call when your pet is awake, stable, and ready to go home. Pickup is typically between 3:00–5:00 PM. At pickup, a staff member will walk you through aftercare instructions for the next 14 days.
- Pick up by our closing time — usually 5:00 PM
- Bring your carrier for the ride home
- Plan for a quiet, calm ride — no blasting music or extra passengers
First 24 Hours
Rest and Confinement
Your pet needs to rest completely during the first 24 hours. The anesthesia will make them groggy and uncoordinated.
- Keep them in a small, quiet room — limit access to stairs and furniture
- Do not let them run, jump, or play
- Keep children and other pets away so they can rest undisturbed
- Check on them frequently, but let them sleep
Food and Water
- Offer a small amount of water when you get home — do not force it
- Offer a small meal 2–3 hours after arriving home if they are alert and interested
- If they vomit once, that is normal; vomiting repeatedly is not — call us
- Return to their normal feeding schedule the next morning
Pain Management
Your pet received pain medication during surgery. If you purchased our pain medication add-on, you'll receive take-home medication — follow the dosage instructions exactly.
- Give prescribed medication with a small amount of food to reduce stomach upset
- Do not skip doses — consistent pain management aids healing
- If your pet seems to be in significant pain, call us immediately
Days 2–14: Recovery
The Incision Site — What's Normal
Some minor changes at the incision site are completely expected during healing:
- Mild redness or pinkness immediately around the incision
- Slight swelling during the first 2–3 days
- A small, firm lump under the skin (this is normal scar tissue)
- Mild bruising, especially in light-skinned pets
Activity Restrictions
- Keep cats strictly indoors
- Walk dogs on a leash only — no off-leash play or dog parks
- Limit stair climbing, especially for the first week
- No baths or swimming for 14 days
- Separate from other pets if they play rough
Preventing Licking
Licking the incision is one of the most common causes of post-surgery complications. Pets can open sutures or introduce bacteria with their tongue.
- Use the cone (e-collar) provided — wear it at all times except supervised mealtimes
- If your pet removes the cone, replace it immediately
- Inflatable "donut" collars are an alternative for pets who hate the cone — ask us if yours fits correctly
- Check the incision every day while you have the cone off at mealtime
When to Call the Vet
Most recoveries go smoothly, but contact us right away if you notice any of the following:
- The incision is open, gaping, or has visible sutures pulling out
- Discharge from the incision that is yellow, green, or has a bad odor
- Significant swelling that is growing, not shrinking
- Your pet is not eating or drinking 24 hours after surgery
- Repeated vomiting or diarrhea
- Pale gums, weakness, or collapse
- Signs of extreme pain — hiding, aggression, non-stop crying
- Your pet cannot urinate within 24 hours of coming home
- A male cat has not urinated within 12 hours of surgery
Phone: (812) 349-1349
If it is after hours and you believe your pet is in danger, go to the nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic.
Recovery Timeline
| Timeframe | What to Expect | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| First evening home | Groggy, wobbly, may not want to eat. Normal. | Rest only. Small water offering. Quiet room. Keep cone on. |
| Day 1–2 | More alert. Some soreness. Mild incision swelling. | Continue rest and confinement. Give pain meds as prescribed. Check incision daily. |
| Day 3–4 | Energy returning. May try to play — do not allow it. | Maintain activity restrictions. Watch for licking. Keep cone on. |
| Day 5–7 | Incision beginning to knit. Swelling reducing. | Continue leash walks only. Inspect incision site. Finish any remaining medication. |
| Day 8–10 | Most pets feel nearly normal. Internal healing is still underway. | Still no running or jumping. Keep cone on until day 10–14. |
| Day 10–14 | Incision should be closed and healing well. | If incision looks clean and closed, you can remove the cone. Resume normal activity gradually. |
Cat vs. Dog — Special Notes
Cat
- Male cat neuters heal in as little as 3–5 days — the incision is tiny and often has no stitches at all
- Female cat spays take the full 10–14 days due to internal sutures
- Cats will try to lick aggressively — cone compliance is critical
- Urination check: male cats must urinate within 12 hours post-surgery
- Keep strictly indoors for the entire recovery period
- Use a low-sided litter box to reduce jumping strain
- Cats often hide when in pain — check on quiet cats frequently
Dog
- Dog spays require the strictest rest — it is abdominal surgery similar to a human C-section
- Dog neuters are simpler but still require 10–14 days of restricted activity
- Leash walks only — 5–10 minutes maximum per outing for the first week
- No stairs if avoidable; use a sling or towel under the belly to help large dogs up steps
- No dog parks, off-leash areas, or play with other dogs
- Scrotal swelling after male dog neuter is normal for up to 2 weeks
- Dogs are good at hiding pain — lethargy beyond 48 hours warrants a call to us
Why Spay and Neuter Matters
You're giving your pet a healthier, longer life — and making a direct impact on animal welfare in Indiana.
Health Benefits
- Eliminates the risk of uterine infections (pyometra) — a life-threatening emergency in unspayed females
- Dramatically reduces the risk of mammary (breast) cancer if spayed before first heat
- Eliminates the risk of testicular cancer in males
- Reduces the risk of prostate disease in male dogs
- Prevents the physical stress of repeated pregnancies
Behavioral Benefits
- Reduces roaming and the urge to escape — a major cause of injury and loss
- Reduces urine marking and spraying in cats
- Reduces inter-animal aggression in multi-pet households
- Calmer, more affectionate behavior overall
Community Impact
- One unspayed female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 cats in 7 years
- Every surgery at Pets Alive Indiana directly reduces shelter overcrowding
- Since 2005, we have performed 230,000+ surgeries across Indiana
Ready to Schedule?
Surgery is quick, same-day, and affordable. Our team is here for you every step of the way.
Questions? Call us: (812) 349-1349