Safety, recovery and life together

Post-Treatment Recovery Checklist

A printable checklist for daily recovery observations, medicines, restrictions and follow-up; your veterinarian’s discharge instructions take priority.

Use the checklist

A printable checklist for daily recovery observations, medicines, restrictions and follow-up; your veterinarian’s discharge instructions take priority. A tick records an action, not a diagnosis or confirmation that your dog is safe. Print using your browser’s Print or Share menu. Ticks are temporary: they are not saved, stored or transmitted. No personal information is collected.

Post-Treatment Recovery ChecklistRead the discharge instructions and keep practice/out-of-hours contacts readyConfirm the right dog, medicine and prescribed administration time; record doses separatelyObserve the wound as directed and check protection prevents accessCheck eating, drinking and any vomiting against the individual planCheck urination, bowel movements and comfortMaintain the prescribed activity restrictions and separate restCheck any bandage/cast and report wetness, slipping or concerning changesConfirm follow-up appointments and any required photographsCall the team about unexpected changes; urgent signs override the checklist

Read the full Recovery After Veterinary Treatment or Surgery guidance

Evidence and review

General guidance, not an individual medical, behavioural or legal assessment. The treating veterinary team’s instructions take priority. Search outcomes, recovery and dog relationships vary. Local services and legal arrangements must be confirmed for the location; procedures here are verified for the labelled UK nations and Republic of Ireland, not assumed to apply elsewhere.

Behaviour support should use humane, reward-based methods. Ask your veterinarian about pain or illness and referral to an appropriately qualified clinical behaviour professional for safety concerns. In the UK, the ABTC register identifies assessed roles; check relevant species, role and referral requirements.