Altering your pet...

A routine Spay or Neuter is done on an animal that is about 4-6 months old.   The kitten or puppy has not been in heat and is a normal weight -usually over 5 pounds.  The pup or kitten has not had any significant health problems detected.  Both testes have descended into the scrotum in males.

On the scheduled morning, you will be asked to arrive between 7:30 and 8:00 in the morning.  The night before food is to be withdrawn after 6 pm, water is NOT to be withheld. You will be asked to sign an authorization form that will detail exactly what will be performed. You may choose other elective services as outlined in the Pre Spay/Neuter Information form.
  

Once admitted, the pet will have a preanesthesia exam.  The heart will be ausculted (listened to) for rate, rhythm and sounds. The lungs will be ausculted.  The mucus membranes will be examined for color and capillary refill time.  The general appearance will be evaluated.  The teeth will be examined for retained deciduous teeth or other dental problems. Blood will be drawn to evaluate red cells, white cells and platelets (complete cell count) and a blood chemistry will be performed to check kidney, liver function and electrolyte values.

Pets initially receive a preanesthesia injection that allows for relaxation, reduces the chance of post anesthesia vomiting and controls excess salivation. An IV catheter will be placed. IV fluids will be administered to help maintain blood pressure, provide internal organ support and to help keep your pet from becoming dehydrated.  Anesthesia is induced with an injection of medications that quickly anesthetizes the pet and allows for intubation. Intubation is placing a tube through the mouth, between the laryngeal cartilages and into the trachea. Isoflurane anesthesia is then administered through the tube to maintain anesthesia. The tube also protects the airways.

Pain medication will be administered which will help your pet, as needed, before, during and after the procedure. Medications used vary with the species and procedures.  Some pain medications can increase the sedation of the pet, some will not.

The surgery site is clipped and antiseptically prepared for surgery. 

For male cats, each sac of the scrotum is incised with a scalpel blade and the testicle is retracted and removed. The cat is wrapped in a towel then placed in its cage with heat support to recover. There are no sutures (no stitches).

Once dogs and female cats are surgically prepared, they are moved into the surgery suite onto the heated table.  Electrocardiogram leads are attached to allow monitoring of heart rate and rhythm.  They are then connected to the isoflurane anesthesia machine that monitors their respiration, and assists in proper ventilation. The doctor scrubs three times, wears a surgical cap and mask, as well as a sterilely prepared gown and sterile, single use gloves. A sterile pack of surgical instruments is used along with a new sterile scalpel blade and suture material.  

An ovariohysterectomy is performed on females. This is surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus via an incision made just caudal to (behind) the umbilicus (belly button).  The incision is closed in 2 or 3 layers of sutures, depending on the amount of fat on the female's body.  The final layer is subcutaneous (within the skin).  Sutures will dissolve, and will not need to be removed. Tissue glue may be used on skin. 

An orchidectomy is performed on males.  In dogs, an incision is made just cranial (in front of) to the scrotum.  Each testicle is retracted through the single incision, and surgically removed via an open procedure.  The incision is closed with subcutaneous sutures.  These sutures will not need to be removed.

Pets are recovered in our treatment area on a warming pad.  They are extubated after they regain their reflexes and are able to control their airways.  Fluids will continue until the pet seems able to move about.  At that time, they will be returned to their kennel with further heat support as needed.

Most pets are normally released later the same day. We ask that you pick up before 4:30pm so that we may have plenty of time to go over discharge instructions and answer any questions you may have.
 

Pets released the same day will be sedate.  This is to help prevent pain, and allow better initial healing.  Be prepared to allow them to just rest that night.  Do not allow children to handle the pet at all the first night and for 3-4 days only under your direct supervision.

Pets rarely lick at their suture sites more than just an occasional lick.  If your pet starts to lick much, you must stop him/her.   Please call for an Elizabethan collar. The emergency rooms are open all night and an elizabethan collar can be purchased from them if it is after hours.
 

These collars help prevent the dog from self-traumatizing and/or infecting their surgery site.  These collars are bulky, and some dogs are somewhat depressed or distressed when wearing them.  You are welcome to develop an alternative.  If your dog is sulking while wearing the collar take it off temporarily, but, only if you can provide no less than 100% supervision during this time.  Your dog should not be allowed to lick or otherwise rub at the surgery site.  This holds true for 3-4 days.

Your pet should be kept to restricted activity (kept on a 4-6 foot lead and not allowed to jump or run) or crated for 4 days to allow fastest healing with as little pain and complications as possible.