Post-Surgery Recovery
If you have any questions at all, please contact the foster department directly. Other KHS phone numbers, emails, or departments are unable to help with any foster concerns.
Contacting other departments will delay you getting answers and delay your animal getting care.
Our contact info can be found at the bottom of every page on this site and in our signature in every email you receive.
Thank you so much for your cooperation with this important policy.
Knowing how to care for your foster properly after surgery can help you to get them back to normal as quickly as possible.
The majority of veterinary surgical procedures require the use of general anesthetic. General anesthetic knocks your pet out and prevents them from feeling any pain during the procedure, but it can take awhile for the effects of general anesthetic to wear off. The lingering effects of general anesthetic may leave your foster feeling a little sleepy, or shaky on their feet. These side effects are normal and with a little rest should disappear very quickly.
A few other side effects that you may notice, include more subdued behavior than usual, appearing as if they are feeling a little bruised or sore, and a temporary lack of appetite.
General Tips
Please minimize their activity level for the first 24 hours and have them rest as much as possible.
Feed them a small meal in the evening after surgery. Vomiting is normal the same day as surgery, but should not be excessive or continue beyond 24 hours.
Avoid bathing them for 7-10 days, as this could affect their incision site. You are welcome to wipe them down with a baby wipe if needed.
Monitor their incision site for any signs of infection such as swelling, bruising, redness, drainage, etc. In addition, watch for any separation in the incision as animals as they may bother their incision site.
Puppies and kittens should return to normal energy levels within 24 hours, while adults may take a few days to fully recover. If you are concerned about your foster not eating, drinking, or being active, please notify us right away.
Post-Surgery Adoption
If you do not have an adopter for your foster, they will remain in your care until we have an available adoption spot at one of our adoption centers. This is typically East Campus on Lyndon Lane for dogs/puppies, and East Campus or Purrfect Day Cafe for kittens/cats.
If you have an adopter for your foster, they will receive an email the day after you pick up the animal from surgery with paperwork to sign. If they do not receive that email within 24-48 hours, please reach out to us so we can follow up. Do not give your foster to their new family until you are notified the adoption has been finalized by our adoption team.