FAQs

There is no question too big or too small for our veterinary team.
Below are some answers to your most common questions.

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We Proudly Serve Pets in Tiffin, OH and Beyond

At Animal Hospital of Tiffin, we get a ton of interesting questions from pet parents. Below are some common FAQs that might help answer any questions or concerns. Please feel free to call us at (419) 455-0470 for any other concerns you might have about your pet.

Frequently Asked Questions

My pet is having surgery tomorrow, and I forgot what I am supposed to do! Can you remind me?

No food after midnight, but you can offer a little water up until the time you bring your pet in that morning. Please ask us about giving medications to your pet on the morning of surgery.

Bring your pet in at the scheduled time. If you have any additional questions, we will be happy to answer them for you at that time.

I tried hard to remember what instructions I was given when I picked up my pet, but I am not sure I remember everything. What should I do?

All pets will go home with written instructions. You can refer to those. The following questions on this page may also help you.

When do I start giving the medications I received?
Almost every surgery or procedure will go home with some medication. AM medications are given at the hospital, and generally, PM medications will need to be given. The prescription bottles should clearly label when to begin your pet’s medication. If you are unsure, please call us at 419-455-0470 during office hours
My pet’s voice seems dry and he’s coughing. Is this normal?

Yes, your pet had a tube in his throat during surgery that provided fresh oxygen and gas anesthesia. It is normal to experience some irritation for the next couple of days.

My pet is really thirsty and hungry. After surgery, how long am I supposed to wait to offer my pet food and water?
Allow your pet to calm down and re-acclimate to his home surroundings. You can then offer a small amount of water, wait a little bit, and offer a little more if that stays down. Don’t let them drink a whole bowl of water! If the water stays down, you can provide a small amount of food. If your pet does not seem interested in food that evening, you can wait until morning to offer food. If he or she is not interested in the morning or is vomiting, we want to hear from you.
Do I really need to keep my dog on a leash?
We ask that all pets that have had surgery be walked on a leash for at least the next 14 days unless we have told you something different. Even if you have a fenced-in yard, we ask that you put your pet on a leash. The more active your pet is, the longer it will take for the incision to heal. Short controlled walks are okay. Just try to keep your pet as calm and relaxed as possible during recovery. Also, if your kitty goes outdoors, we ask that you keep her inside until the sutures are removed.
My pet wants to lick his incision. Is this okay?
No! It is extremely important that your pet leaves his incision alone, or it will not heal. Licking causes inflammation which will quickly lead to infection, and highly likely your pet will remove all of his skin sutures if left to lick his incision. If he succeeds, he will require more surgery! Look at the incision several times throughout the day. If he is licking the incision and it appears red and swollen, please contact us to get you an e-collar for your pet. He will get accustomed to it and will only need to wear it until the sutures are removed. It is much less expensive than additional surgery.
When can the stitches be removed?
Since animals are much more active than people when it comes to recovering from surgery, we keep the sutures in for a full 14 days. A technician will do the suture removal for no additional cost; we simply ask that you make an appointment, so we know when to expect you. If you are not available on the day that the sutures are due to come out, no problem! Keeping them in a little longer is fine. Just schedule when you are available.
You recommended replacing my cat’s regular cat litter with newspaper while her feet heal. Now she is not using her litter box. What should I do?
First, you should try putting a small amount of your cat’s regular litter in with the newspaper. Make sure you check her toes and keep them clean. Gently remove any kitty litter that might stick to her incisions.
Once I have my pet spayed or neutered, will it calm them down?
Spaying or neutering your pet has little effect on his basic personality. Many people interpret normal maturity as “calming down.” Another thing people worry about is spaying a female dog and causing her to become fat and lazy. While the surgery does seem to result in a slightly decreased metabolism, making sure your pet gets the right amount of food and exercise will greatly impact her weight.