Females received an ovariohysterectomy. Unless otherwise noted, there are no sutures to remove. If your female was pregnant or in heat, please keep your pet away from intact males for at least 2 weeks.
Males received a castration. Unless otherwise noted, there are no sutures to remove. If your male was Cryptorchid (undescended testicle(s)), your pet has 2 incisions.
If you were told that your pet had already been spayed or neutered, please contact the clinic if you notice signs of undescended testicles in males or signs of heat in females.
1. YOUR PET MUST REMAIN WARM AND INDOORS TONIGHT.
2. Offer your pet food and water when you get home. Do not change your pet’s diet at this time and do not give junk food, table scraps, milk or any other people food during the recovery period. This could mask post-surgical complications.
3. Appetite should return within 24 hours of surgery. Lethargy lasting for more than 24 hours post-op, severe diarrhea, or vomiting are not normal and your pet should be taken to your regular veterinarian. Dogs may have a slight cough for 1-2 days after surgery, or mild diarrhea not more than 24 hrs.
4. Check the incision site twice daily. There should be no drainage. Redness and swelling should be minimal. Do not apply any type of ointment to the incision. Do not allow your pet to lick or chew at the incision. An Elizabethan collar MUST be applied to prevent it.
5. If there are any questions or concerns directly related to the surgery during the recovery period, please call this office at (281) 260-0015 or walk in during wellness hours 10am – 1pm Monday - Saturday. If there is an emergency after hours, contact your regular veterinarian or REACH an emergency hospital.
6. No running, jumping, playing, swimming or other strenuous activity for 7 to 10 days. Keep your pet quiet. Pets must be kept indoors where they can stay clean, dry and warm. No baths during the recovery period. Dogs must be walked on a leash and cats kept indoors.
7. We recommend your pet receive a post-operative examination with your regular veterinarian 7 to 10 days after surgery. Have the incision checked for complete healing, to remove any skin sutures (if applicable), and to discuss additional needs, follow-up care and vaccination boosters.
8. Your pet received a green tattoo next to the incision. This tattoo is a scoring process in the skin; IT IS NOT AN EXTRA INCISION.
Spay/Houston will treat at our clinic, at minimal cost, any post-op complications resulting directly from the surgery, if the above post-op instructions are followed in full. Your regular veterinarian must address illnesses or injuries that are not a direct result of surgery. We cannot be held responsible for complications resulting from failure to follow post-op instructions, failure to purchase recommended medications, or for contagious diseases for which the animal was not previously properly vaccinated.
SPAY/HOUSTON DOES NOT ISSUE RABIES TAGS. If your pet received a rabies shot, your rabies certificate is attached to your post op instructions.
If you microchipped your pet, do not forget to register the chip.
Our veterinarians recommend that you establish a wellness program for your pet. Please visit our website for a list of wellness services available at Spay/Houston.
For safe flea control, our veterinarians recommend Advantage for cats or Comfortis for dogs. Over-the-counter flea/tick treatments & collars are ineffective and may be harmful to your pet.
All dogs should be on monthly heartworm preventative before they are 6 months of age. Heartworms are caused by your pet being bitten by mosquitoes.