Incision Care:  It is important to pay close attention to your pet's incision after surgery.  The incision must stay clean and dry for ten days after surgery.  Do not bathe your pet or allow him or her to swim during this period.  Monitor the site for any signs of increased redness, swelling or discharge.  The incision may have a slight amount of redness, bruising or swelling when  your pet goes home.  If these become worse, contact your veterinarian.  A few drops of clear reddish discharge may seep from the incision during the first day as the skin heals.  If this discharge does not clear up or if there is any thick yellow or white discharge, please contact us.  One of the most common causes of incision problems is the pet licking, chewing or scratching at the wound.  Licking and scratching causes trauma to the wound resulting in swelling, bruising and delayed healing.  It can also introduce infection to a surgical site.  A dog or cat's tongue can even untie suture material in or above the skin.  To prevent your pet from licking or scratching, we may recommend an Elizabethan collar or a bitter tasting ointment to be applied around the incision.