Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prepare my pet for surgery?
The day before:
Ensure the Veterinary Clinic doing your pet’s surgery is aware of all medications your pet is taking and also any and all health concerns you might have. Your pet must be in good health on the day of surgery.
Do not feed or allow your pet to have access to food after 7:00 pm the evening before surgery. Water can be given up until midnight.
- The day of:
- No food or water at breakfast the day of surgery. If surgery is scheduled for the afternoon, a small amount of water can be given at breakfast. A minimum 6 hour fasting period is required.
- Bring your cat is in a secure, clean cat carrier. Label it with your cat’s name, your full name and the best number to reach you. Bring your dog on a leash with a collar or harness. Leave the best number to contact you with the admin staff. They will call you when your pet is ready to be picked up.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes ahead of your appointment. A quick physical exam will be given to assess your pet is suitable for a successful surgery. Any concerns will be discussed with you by the Veterinary Clinic, offering you to proceed or reschedule. You will be asked to sign a surgical consent form before surgery.
PLEASE PICK UP YOUR PET AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER BEING TOLD THEY ARE READY TO GO HOME. WITH YOUR AUTHORIZATION, A RELATIVE OR FAMILY FRIEND CAN PICK UP YOUR PET ON YOUR BEHALF.
How do I care for them after surgery?
Your pet has just had major surgery. Their recovery care is important to prevent complications.
WHEN YOU FIRST GET HOME:
- The anesthesia may make them sleepy, groggy or a little restless the first night. The should return to their normal behavior and energy by the next day.
- After a few hours of being home, offer them a small meal (about half the size of their regular meal). Make sure fresh water is available at all times.
- Give your pet a warm, quiet, comfortable place to rest and recover.
FEEDING:
- Your pet’s appetite should return to normal after about 24 hours. Feeding can return to normal the next day. Don’t change your pet’s diet during recovery, or give extra treats, as this may upset their stomach.
- If your pet has a cone or an E-collar, remove it during feeding but keep them supervised.
- If they loose interest in food for more than 24 hours, contact the Vet Clinic where your pet was spayed/neutered.
INCISION CARE:
- Female cats and dogs have an incision on their abdomen (stomach). Male dogs have an incision in front of the scrotum. Male cats have two incisions, one on each side of the scrotum.
- Check the incision/s daily to ensure it is healing. Mild redness and swelling are normal but should improve each day. A small bump under the incision is also normal due to the stitches under the skin. If the redness or swelling worsens, or discharge, odor or opening of the incision occurs – immediately contact Spay Neuter Initiatives Association or the Veterinary Clinic that did your pet’s surgery. A photo of the incision site would be helpful.
- Dogs and female cats have internal stitches that dissolve on their own after a few months. They do not need to be removed. Male cats do not have stitches. Their incisions will heal on their own.
- It is important to prevent your pet from licking the incision. A cone or E-collar or a onesie prevents licking. Your pet will receive a cone and/or Onesie from the Veterinary clinic before going home. These should be kept on at least 7 to 10 days after surgery. The cone is included in the surgery fee but if you request a Onesie, there is an extra charge for it.
- The incision must be kept dry until completely healed. Do not bathe your pet for at least 14 days. Do not apply creams, antiseptics or sprays to the incision. Do not apply a bandage to the incision. The incision can sometimes appear crusty as it heals due to surgical glue.
PAIN MANAGEMENT
- Each pet receives some form of pain medications before and after the surgery.
- Cats receive pain medication at surgery. No additional medications are usually sent home.
- Dogs receive pain meds as required. This is determined by the Vet Clinic. You must request extra pain meds to take home and there is a small additional cost.
- Please contact the Vet Clinic that preformed your pet’s surgery if your pet appears in pain at home. DO NOT GIVE your pet any human pain relievers as they are often very toxic to animals.
EXERCISE AND ACTIVITY
- It’s important to limit your pet’s activity for 7 to 10 days after surgery. Strenuous activity, like running, jumping or rough play, could cause the incision to become swollen or open.
- Keep your indoor/outdoor cat safe inside for 7 to 10 days after surgery.
- For dogs, please keep walks brief (less than 10 minutes) and use a leash for 7 to 10 days after surgery. Avoid dog parks and off leash running for at least 10 days.
- Please note that sometimes animals returning from a Vet Clinic may smell different to other animals in the household. This could cause some aggression or a fight, so be prepared to keep your pets in separate areas for a few days after surgery.
COMPLICATIONS AND EMERGENCY CARE
Spaying and neutering are both very routine and safe surgeries for pets. However, sometimes complications can occur. Please contact the Veterinarian who performed your pet’s surgery if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Worsening redness or swelling of the incision area
- Bleeding or discharge from the incision
- Pale gums
- Lethargy or depression
- Loss of appetite after the first day
- Vomiting
- Difficulty urinating or defecating
- Labored breathing
- Wobbly or unsteady while walking
For concerns during recovery, please email or call the Vet Clinic that provided the spay/neuter procedure to your pet. Call rather than trying to obtain advice online. If it’s after hours, most Veterinarians have recordings that explain how to get emergency help for your pet when they are closed. If you are unable to speak with someone, then call the closest emergency clinic and follow their instructions.
WHERE ARE THE AVAILABLE EMERGENCY CLINICS:
Please note the following list is for reference only. Spay Neuter Initiatives Association does not necessarily recommend any of these facilities.
Animal Emergency Clinic of Durham Region
1910 Dundas Street East, Suite B101, Whitby, ON
905-576-3031
Kawartha Emergency Veterinary Clinic
1840 Lansdown Street West, Mapleridge Plaza, Unit 20, Peterborough, ON
705-741-5832
404 Veterinary Emergency and Referral Hospital
510 Harry Walker Parkway South, Newmarket, ON
905-953-1933
Port Hope Veterinary Emergency Clinic and Services
6597 Dale Road, Port Hope, ON
905-885-5321
Toronto Veterinary Emergency Hospital (TVEH)
21 Rolark Drive, Scarborough, ON
416-247-8387
Vaughan-Richmond Hill Veterinary Emergency Clinic
10303 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill, ON
905-884-1832