Instructions: Before & After Surgery
We’re glad you have decided to have your pet spayed or neutered! In addition to helping to reduce the number of unwanted pets born in our community, you are also helping your pet live a longer, happier life. Did you know that:
- Spayed/Neutered animals live an average of 2-3 years longer than other pets?
- Spayed and neutered pets will never develop testicular, uterine, or ovarian cancers?
- Spaying and neutering pets reduces unwanted behaviors, such as urine spraying in cats and marking with urine in dogs?
- Pets tend to have fewer aggression-related behavior problems after being surgically sterilized?
Before Surgery
If your pet is under 8 months old, please give them ½ their normal amount of food in the morning before surgery. If your pet is older than 8 months, do not feed him or her any food after midnight the night before surgery. It is ok for your pet to have water during this time. We do require that your pet be current on their rabies vaccination. If your pet has already been vaccinated against rabies, bring the original, signed rabies certificate or other proof of rabies vaccine to the clinic with you otherwise we will re-vaccinate them at a cost of $11. A rabies tag is not acceptable proof of vaccination. Bring any other medical records with you to help us determine if they need any other vaccinations. Confirm the location of your clinic, and that you know how to get there.
The Day of Your Appointment
- If you have a cat, bring her in a secure carrier. If you have a dog, be sure he is on a secure leash that he cannot slip out of.
- If your appointment is at the Mobile Clinic, your drop off is from 8-8:30am and pick up is from 5-5:30pm.
- If your appointment is at the stationary clinic, your drop off will be between 8-8:30am. Your pick up time is between 5-5:30pm.
- Late fees will apply for both a late arrival, and a late pickup, so please arrive on time for both. If you do not pick-up by the end of your scheduled pick up time, a late fee of $1 per minute will be charged. After 6pm, your pet will be taken to an after hours clinic in Austin and you will be charged a $70 fee.
After Surgery
- Restrict food and water. You can offer your pet small amounts of food later in the evening and increase it gradually. Your pet may not be interested in eating at this time. This is perfectly normal. If vomiting occurs the first night, withdraw food. Your pet should be eating/drinking normally the next day and not vomiting.
- If you have a pick-up truck please note that we are not allowed to release a pet that is not put into a secured crate or inside the cab of your truck. This is for your pet’s safety and the safety of other drivers as your pet is very likely to be disoriented after surgery.
- Try to keep the your pet confined and do not allow jumping or running for 7-10 days to give them plenty of time to heal and so that you can monitor the incision. No licking at the stitches! If you think your pet will lick, please get an E-Collar from us or Petsmart or another veterinarian ASAP. A pet can pull out stitches easily which can lead to hundreds of dollars spent at the vet repairing the damage. Keep the incision clean with a little hydrogen peroxide once a day for 7 days. Do not bath the animal for 7-10 days.
- The suture is dissolvable, so there is no need to bring your pet back in after surgery.
- DO NOT GIVE ASPIRIN, TYLENOL OR IBUPROFEN to dogs or cats. They can be deadly. All pets receive pain medication while they are at EMANCIPE+, it lasts for 24 – 48 hours.
- Try to check the incision 1-2 times daily for swelling, discharge or redness. A little seepage is normal but if it’s excessive or if there are any complications related to the surgery, please contact EMANCIPET at (512) 587-7729 – if it is after hours or you’re having trouble getting through just listen to our message and an emergency contact number will be on there. You can call that number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If no one answers leave a message and we’ll call right back.
