Animal bedding should not be present since the unconscious animal may aspirate bedding into the nares thereby compromising respiration. The most common complication that occurs during and after surgery is the development of hypothermia. This can be avoided by using sterile pads under the animal or utilizing a circulating water pad. Electrical heating pads cannot be appropriately regulated and should never be utilized as a heat source. The lamp should be positioned so that the animal can escape the light source if desired.
Many procedures entail the loss of body fluids either through bleeding or drying during surgery.
In those cases the administration of warmed sterile saline either subcutaneously or intraperitoneally will hasten the animal's recovery. The surgical site should be monitored daily to insure that the surgical wound is healing properly and that stitch abscesses, dehiscence or other complications have not occurred. Usually in seven to ten days the sutures can be removed from a properly healed incision. Analgesics should be administered during surgery or immediately postoperatively. For minor procedures it may be appropriate to administer only one dose of an analgesic.