Your vet will give you specific advice relating to your dog's condition, check up dates and post-surgical medication.

In general, dogs will normally take 24-48 hours before they are back to normal following an anaesthetic, during which they spend most of the time sleeping. With that in mind, make sure your dog's bed is placed inside, in a warm, draught-free place where he or she won't be disturbed, especially if there are young children or other animals in the house.

Feeding
Dogs, like humans, can feel very nauseous after waking up from an anaesthetic.

So after an operation, give your dog a small evening meal of something light, such as cooked chicken or fish. If that's not possible, then feed just a quarter of the food you would normally provide. Make sure your dog has access to clean, fresh water at all times.

Exercise
Your dog must be kept on a lead and only allowed the minimum amount of exercise - ideally just a walk in the garden to go to the toilet - until a few days after the stitches have been removed. Jumping onto furniture and going up and down stairs should be discouraged.
 
Stitches
Check your dog's stitches daily and tell your vet about any swelling, persistent discharge or bleeding. Stitches are usually removed after about 10 days, although this will vary according to the type of operation and the area where the stitches have been made. Some stitches are hidden under the skin and dissolve naturally on their own.

Bandages
It is very important that you keep bandages dry or they can cause further damage. When your dog goes outside, try taping a plastic bag over the bandage - a drip bag from the vet is an even better option, made of tough material to last longer. But at the same time, it's dangerous to leave a plastic bag on your dog's foot for too long, as moisture can build up inside and cause rot. So remove the bag as soon as your dog comes back inside. Alternatively, keep your dog inside until the bandage is removed. Look out for unpleasant odours, discolouration, swelling above or below the bandage, limping or pain.

It is very important that you go back to the vet on the specified check-up date, or earlier if you are concerned about something.

Plastic collars
Plastic collars in the shape of a funnel, known as Elizabethan or Buster collars, are designed to help dogs from licking, biting or scratching their wounds. It's important that the collar is left on at all times, especially at night and whenever dogs are alone. Your brave pet will soon get used to wearing the new 'accessory', but make sure it doesn't hinder eating or drinking or you will need to remove it at meal times.