Abscess Drainage Aftercare Instructions
A day-by-day recovery guide for abscess drainage: what to expect, how to care for yourself, and when to call. Free to read and print.
Abscess Drainage recovery, day by day
Immediate Care
- Follow all discharge instructions from the emergency veterinarian
- Wound may have a drain placed. Do NOT pull on it.
- Give pain medication before your pet is in pain
- E-collar on to prevent licking or chewing at the area
Wound Care
- Clean the drain site with warm salt water 2x daily. Expect drainage.
- Monitor appetite and water intake
- Continue all medications through the full course
- Activity restriction appropriate to the injury
Recovery
- Drain removal at vet recheck (usually 3-5 days)
- Gradual return to normal activity
- Complete all medications
When to call your provider or 911
- •Excessive bleeding from the incision that doesn't stop
- •Incision opens, separates, or has pus/foul odor
- •Your pet is extremely lethargic or unresponsive
- •Persistent vomiting or diarrhea for more than 12 hours
- •Difficulty breathing or blue/pale gums
- •Refusal to eat or drink for more than 24 hours after surgery
- •Collapse or inability to stand
When in doubt, call your clinic. For a medical emergency, call 911.
Recovery milestones
- Day 2
Stabilized
Eating, drinking, and alert
- Day 7
Wound healing
Wound closing with no signs of infection
- Day 14
Expected recovery
Typically healed and back to normal activity; healing time varies.
For clinics
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