500 E. Hackberry

Suite 100-B
McAllen, TX 78501

OFFICE PHONE

(956) 687-7728

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patient information

Post-operative instructions

What does the surgery involve?

The surgery requires general anesthesia. Your dog/cat will be completely asleep and unable to feel anything 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 disappear. Removal of the testicles prevents production of sperm, so the male dog or cat will no longer be able to father puppies or kittens. 

Pain medication will be given during surgery as part of the surgical protocol, which will last up to 8 hours. Additional pain medication may be purchased at the owner’s request.

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 the swelling should be minimal.

Male cats may appear as if they still have testicles, but 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 offer E-collar for $10.00 or Bitter Orange for $6.00 to keep your pet from licking its incision.

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 10 days to recover from surgery. 

Sutures

All sutures are absorbable on the inside and the very outer layer of skin will also have sutures. 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 2 weeks to have those removed. Male cats do not have any sutures. Sutures may take up to 6 months to dissolve on their own.

Pet Activity

Some animals are active after surgery, while others are quiet. It is very important that you limit your pets activity for the next 10 days. No running, jumping, playing, swimming, or other strenuous activity during the 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 stitches.

The healing process takes at least 10 days.

feeding

If 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 pets diet at this time and do not give junk food, table scraps, milk or any other people food. 

This could mask post-surgical complications.

Potential Complications

Spaying and neutering are very safe surgeries. Although it is rare, 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

Questions or Concerns

During the recovery period, please call the after hours emergency number for any questions or concerns you may have. If there is an emergency after hours and you are unable to reach us during those hours, 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.

Since 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.

Any pet brought in for a recheck after hours or on the weekend, will be charged a $25 EMERGENCY FEE. If the pet is brought in for a recheck during regular clinic hours there will NOT be a n EMERGENCY FEE.

Get in touch

Location
500 E. Hackberry Ave,
McAllen, TX 78501
Contact us
Phone: (956) 687-7728
Fax: (956) 687-7730
Clinic hours
Open
Tuesday – Saturday
7:30am – 4:00pm

Closed
Sunday & Monday
Appointments

Pet Drop-off (Day of Surgery)
7:30am – 8:00am

Pet Pick-up (Day of Surgery)
3:00pm – 3:30pm