Pre-op Instructions

The drop off time at the clinic is 7:30 a.m for cats and 8:00am for dogs. Animals may be picked-up the same afternoon from 2:00-4:00pm. Please note that all animals must be kept indoors for 5 days following surgery.

All cats must be in separate carriers.

For the safety and comfort of all of our clients and pets, please leave your dog in your vehicle until after you have checked in and completed the admission paperwork. All dogs must be on leashes. We do not need dogs to be in carriers.

Adult dogs and cats cannot have any food after midnight the night before surgery. Puppies or kittens under four months of age should have half of their usual breakfast at 6am the morning of surgery.

Animals must be in good health so if your pet is showing any signs of illness such as coughing, sneezing, runny eyes or nose, or diarrhea they will be declined for surgery. See your regular vet for care first, and then re-schedule surgery when your pet is symptom free.

If you have vaccination records, please bring them with you. A rabies vaccine is required by Arizona law if the animal has not been previously vaccinated or lacks proof of vaccination.

Elizabethan collars (cones) are available for $4-8 if licking or chewing is noted or anticipated.

Payment is to be made at pick up and NO CHECKS ARE ACCEPTED, payment should be cash or charge card only.

All SNIP and Shelter certificates are accepted by our clinic. 

Post-op Instructions

Click here for Dog Go Home Instructions                                        Click here for Cat Go Home Instructions

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
  1. All pets must be housed indoors for at least 7 days so they can stay clean, dry, and comfortable.  After anesthesia animals are unable to regulate their body temperature so risk of hypothermia is great. 
  2. Limit their activity by not allowing them to run, jump, play with other animals, swim, or other strenuous activity for at least 7-10 days while they recover.  Please do not bathe your pet during this time so their incision can heal.  Dogs must be leash walked to ensure that your pet does not become too active.
  3. Check the incision site daily for any excessive swelling, drainage (slight clear, blood tinged discharge the first day is acceptable). If you notice excessive bleeding, yellow or green discharge from the incision site contact Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic or your local veterinarian immediately.  A small, hard lump a few days after the surgery is normal. This is a common reaction to the suture when the tissue is healing.
  4. Keep your pet from licking the incision site.  Elizabethan collars (cones) are available for purchase for a reasonable price from Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic.  If we are not open these collars are available at any pet retail store or veterinary clinic. 
  5. Unless you were notified by the clinic your pet should not have any external sutures that need to be removed.  The sutures used are absorbable and can take up to 60 days to be fully absorbed.  Male cats do not have any sutures and their incisions are left open in order to drain.
  6. If you pet is lethargic, having multiple episodes of vomiting or diarrhea more than 24 hours after surgery please consult a veterinarian.  Anesthesia effects all animals differently but it is best to make sure there are not any further issues.  Dogs may have a slight cough for up to a few days after surgery. 
  7. Anesthesia and surgery can cause some pets to have a sensitive stomach. The night following surgery please provide your pet with a small amount of water.  If your pet is able to keep the water down, give your pet ¼ of its normal meal.  If your pet cannot keep down the water, do not give them food and give them their normal breakfast the following morning. Do not change your pet’s diet or give the junk (people) food, milk, or other scraps during their recovery period.  This can increase your pets discomfort, mask post-surgical complications, and delay the recovery process.
  8. Do not give your pets any home pain relievers such as Tylenol, aspirin, ibuprofen, aleeve, or other drugs.  Do not apply any medications or ointments to you pets incision. Many of these drugs can be toxic to animals and cause complications in the healing process. If you think your pet is in discomfort please contact Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic or your veterinarian for help.
  9. If your female dog or cat was in heat (estrus) at the time of surgery, you must keep them away from un-neutered males for at least two weeks. If a male tries to mate with her serious bleeding and trauma to the reproductive tract may occur, possibly leading to death.

 

Spaying and neutering are a common and  safe surgery however complications can occur.  If you have any questions or concerns related to the surgery during the recovery period please call us at 928-692-5226.

If there is an emergency after hours, please contact one of the following emergency facilities:

If the above post-op instructions are completely followed, Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic will provide treatment during business hours, at minimal cost, for any post-op complications resulting directly from the surgery. Please consult your regular veterinarian for illnesses or injuries that are not a direct result of surgery. Please call for an appointment as soon as you see cause for concern. We cannot be held responsible for any animals requiring attention after our business hours. We cannot be held responsible for complications resulting from a failure to follow post-op instructions or for contagious diseases that the animal was not previously properly vaccinated.