1. You must have an appointment. Please call 318-861-0101 to schedule your pet for surgery.
2. We recommend that you have your pet vaccinated at least two weeks prior to your appointment.
3. All adult animals must have food withdrawn the night before surgery at 12:00 midnight. Pets must be kept indoors or confined. Any pet that remained outside all night without being confined will not be admitted for surgery. Animals 4 months or younger may have food until 6:00 AM the morning of surgery.
4. Check-in time is 8:00 AM. Your pet will not be admitted before 8:00 AM. If you arrive after 8:00 AM we will not be able to admit your pet for surgery - we will ask you to reschedule. We have a very strict surgical schedule that must be followed. Pick up is the following morning at 7:30 AM.
5. You must complete the necessary admission form when you arrive. You may stop by the clinic prior to your pets' scheduled surgery day and pick up the paperwork to save time the morning of your appointment. Admission typically takes 10 minutes to complete.
6. We require that you abide by Louisiana state law and have a current rabies vaccination for your pet. If your pet does not have a rabies vaccine, we will administer it at the time of surgery for a charge of $10.00. If your pet does have a rabies vaccine, please bring proof in the form of a tag or certificate.
7. All dogs must be on a leash and all cats must be in a carrier.
8. We take cash and checks only. You must pay for services at the time of check-in.
9. Our veterinarians perform a general physical exam of every patient prior to surgery. Blood work is not done prior to surgery. Our veterinarians reserve the right to refuse service to any animal to whom surgery is deemed a health risk.

What to expect when you get your pet home

The healing process usually takes 7-10 days. During this recovery time it is very important that you keep a close eye on your pet and prevent them from running, jumping, playing, swimming, or other strenuous activity. To avoid injury, dogs must be walked on a leash.

For 7-10 days following surgery, pets must be kept indoors where they can stay clean, dry, and warm. Do not bathe your pet during the recovery period.

Surgery Site

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 in each side of the scrotum. Check the incision site at least twice daily.

What you see today is what we consider normal. There should be no drainage. Redness and swelling should be minimal. Male cats may appear as if they still have testicles. This is normal, 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 Apple spray to deter licking and chewing. If this does not deter them, an Elizabethan collar (“E-collar”) must be applied to prevent them from being able to reach the area.

Your pet has received pain medication. Male dogs have received a post-operative steroidal anti-inflammatory injection.

Female Pets In Heat

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. If a male tries to mate with her serious bleeding and trauma to the reproductive tract may occur, possibly leading to death.

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. 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. The healing process takes at least 7 days.

Feeding

Your pet should have a small snack the night of 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. 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.

What to Look For

Spaying and neutering are very safe surgeries; however, complications can 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

If you have any questions or concerns directly related to the surgery during the recovery time period, please do not hesitate to contact the clinic at 318-861-0101.

After hours please consult your regular veterinarian or contact the Animal Emergency Clinic on Line Avenue.