Wound / Laceration Repair Aftercare Instructions
A day-by-day recovery guide for wound / laceration repair: what to expect, how to care for yourself, and when to call. Free to read and print.
Wound / Laceration Repair recovery, day by day
Immediate Care
- Follow all discharge instructions from the emergency veterinarian
- Keep the wound/area clean and dry
- Give pain medication before your pet is in pain
- E-collar on to prevent licking or chewing at the area
Wound Care
- Check wound twice daily for signs of infection
- Monitor appetite and water intake
- Continue all medications through the full course
- Activity restriction appropriate to the injury
Recovery
- Follow up with your regular veterinarian
- 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
Stop photocopying aftercare sheets.
QR Rx sends this exact wound / laceration repair recovery plan to every patient, branded to your practice, opened by a QR code. It checks in automatically, answers post-op questions, asks for a review at the right moment, and brings patients back for their next visit. The aftercare you already owe every patient, doing the work of keeping them.
HIPAA compliant. No credit card. Cancel anytime.