Postop gastrotomy or enterotomy

Thank you for trusting your pet to our surgical care.  Your pet has had abdominal surgery -  during surgery, an incision was made into the gastrointestinal tract. Potential complications of this surgery include dehiscence (leaking) of the surgery site, narrowing of the intestine at the surgery site and infection. The most likely time this will happen is on day 3-5 post surgery.  It is essential to allow your pet time to heal and to avoid injury during recuperation. Please strictly follow the instructions below. 

Recovery Instructions:  

- Activity: 

• No running, jumping, free access to stairs, or rough playing with other pets or children.

• Do not allow any unrestricted or off-leash activity, or free access to stairs or slippery floors. 

• Restrict activity for the next 2 weeks to allow complete healing of the surgical site. 

- Incision:   

•    Monitor the incision daily for signs of infection such as increased redness, swelling or discharge.  If you observe any of these signs or if the surgical site suddenly becomes painful to the touch please call us immediately. 

•    If your pet licks the incision, he/she must wear an E-collar until the staples are removed as licking can provide a source of infection. 

•    Keep the incision clean and dry (do not apply anything to the incision).  No bathing or swimming for 14 days. 

- Medications: 

•    Give all medications as directed 

•    If your pet loses his/her appetite, begins vomiting or develops diarrhoea or dark/tarry stools please call us immediately. 

- Food: 

•    Your pet should have access to water at all times and plenty of calories in the form of small frequent meals as directed by your vet. If we have sent home with a special diet, please continue this. 

- Recovery: 

•    Your pet should show steady, continual improvement.  If he/she seems lethargic, acutely painful or is simply not doing well, please call us immediately especially if this occurs 3-5 days post surgery.

•    Please monitor your pet for signs of a post surgical complication such as poor or no appetite, lethargy, depression, vomiting, defecation of black or tarry stool, or unanticipated pain/discomfort.  If you notice any of these signs please call us immediately. 

Please note that the frequency of your pet’s bowel movements may be decreased for the next 24-48 hours as a consequence of anaesthesia and surgery.

- Recheck: 

•    Please schedule a post op check in 7-10 days. Sooner if any concerns.                                      

Our foremost interest is your pet’s rapid and complete recovery: do not hesitate to call us on 0861851726 if you have any questions or concerns.