The surgery requires general anesthesia. Your dog/cat will be completely asleep and unable to feel or move. In female dogs/cats the uterus and ovaries are removed through a small incision in the abdominal wall which will prevent future pregnancies and heat cycles. In male dogs/cats the scrotum is not removed, only the testicles. The scrotum will eventually shrink and dissapear. Removal of the testicles prevents production of sperm, so the male dog or cat will no longer be able to father puppies or kittens. Your pet will receive pain medication after surgery, and male dogs will receive a post-operative steroidal anti-inflammatory injection.

What should I do for my pet after surgery?

Female dogs and cats have a mid-line incision in their abdomen. Male dogs have an incision just above the scrotum and male cats have two incisions, one on each side of the scrotum. Check the incision site at least twice daily. There should be no drainage and redness and swelling should be minimal. Male cats may appear as if they still have testicles. This is normal and the swelling should subside gradually through the recovery period. DO NOT ALLOW YOUR PET TO LICK OR CHEW AT THE INCISION. If this occurs, we recommend you purchase Bitter Orange ointment which can be placed directly on the incision (available at our clinic) to deter licking and chewing. If this does not deter them, an E-collar must be used to prevent them from being able to reach the area. The clinic offers e-collars for your use on a deposit system.  You must make a deposit of $20.00 to use one of our e-collars and your deposit will be returned to you once you return the e-collar (unless it has been destroyed).

If your pet was in heat at the time of surgery

If your female dog or cat was in heat at the time of surgery, you must keep them away from un-neutered males for at least two weeks. While they are unable to become pregnant, they will still attract intact males, for a short period of time. This may lead to injury since your female dog will take 7-10 days to recover from surgery. 

Sutures

Unless you are told otherwise, your pet does not have external sutures. All sutures are absorbable on the inside and the very outer layer of skin is held together with surgical glue. Do not clean or apply topical ointment to the incision site. If you are told that your pet has skin sutures or skin staples, they will need to return in 7-10 days to have those removed. Male cats do not have any sutures.

Activity

Some animals are active after surgery, while others are quiet. It is very important that you limit your pet's activity for the next 7-10 days. No running, jumping, playing, swimming, or other strenuous activity during the 7-10 day recovery period. Pets must be kept indoors where they can stay clean, dry, and warm. Do not bathe your pet during the recovery period. Dogs must be walked on a leash and cats must be kept inside. Keep your pet quiet. Dogs and female cats have internal and external sutures that provide strength to the tissue as they heal. Any strenuous activity could disrupt this healing process or tear the stiches. The healing process takes at least 7-10 days.

Feeding

Your pet has had a small snack the night after surgery. Their appetite should return gradually within 24 hours of surgery. Lethargy lasting for more than 24 hours after surgery, diarrhea, or vomiting are not normal and you should contact us immediately if you notice any of these symptoms. Do not change your pet's diet at this time and do not give junk food, table scraps, milk or any other people food for a period of one week. This could mask post-surgical complications.

Potential Complications

Spaying and neutering are very safe surgeries. Although it is rare, as with any surgical procedure complications may occur. Minimal redness and swelling should resolve within several days. If it persists longer, please contact us. Please contact us immediately if you notice any of the following:

• pale gums
• depression
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• discharge or bleeding from the incision
• difficulty urinating
• labored breathing
• abnormal swelling
• fever

If you have any questions or concerns directly related to the surgery during the recovery period, please call this office during our regular hours or the after hours emergency number you have been provided on the pink receipt (post-op instructions) given at the time your pet was picked up. If there is an emergency after hours and you are unable to reach us at the after hours emergency number, please contact your regular veterinarian immediately.

Patients who have undergone spay/neuter surgery at our clinic will be treated for any post-op complications resulting directly from the surgery, by us at minimal cost; provided the above post-operative instructions are followed in full. Because we are a low cost sterilization facility and not a health clinic, your regular veterinarian must address illnesses or injuries that are not a direct result of the spay/neuter surgery. Please call for an appointment as soon as you see cause for concern. We cannot be held responsible for complications resulting from failure to follow post-op instructions, or for contagious disease for which the animal was not previously properly vaccinated.