Pre-surgical instructions for pets scheduled for spay/neuter
Please note: Your appointment confirmation email also includes both pre-op and post-operative instructions. Spay/neuter drop-off is 7:30-8:30am on weekdays, and 8-9am on weekends. Dogs can be picked up as early as noon. Cat pickup is usually 4:30-5:30pm, but we’ll let you know at drop-off if they can be picked up earlier.
Dogs
Dogs under 20 lbs. can have a ½ meal before 6am on the day of surgery. Dogs over 20 lbs. should not have food after midnight. Water should not be withheld.
Please leave your dog in the car while checking in. Dogs must be wearing a collar that is snugly fitted that they can not wiggle out of, and dogs not arriving in a pet carrier need to be on a solid leash (not retractable). While here, you will likely encounter other dogs. Please keep dogs a minimum of 5 feet away from each other.
We typically perform dog neuters at the beginning of the day. Once you check in we will do a brief exam on your dog, administer sedation drugs, and have you walk your dog outside for 5-10 minutes.
If your dog is not up to date on heart worm prevention, we recommend adding a heart worm test to your dog’s services. This is especially recommended for dogs who spend a lot of time outdoors or in a woodsy area. Anesthesia compromises cardiac and respiratory physiology, and having heart disease increases anesthetic risk.
Cats
You may allow your cat to eat food up until 6am the day of surgery, water is always fine to give.
Cats must arrive in a SECURE carrier, preferable hard-sided. Only 1 cat per carrier. Carriers must be labeled on top with 1) Pet name, 2) Owner name, 3) Owner phone number. Please make sure the pet carrier is secure—owners have permanently lost pets in our parking lot due to their carriers not being properly fit together, etc.